ACCESS Open Minds celebrates the appointment of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett to the newly created role of federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Increased support and governance to better serve mental health and addiction issues in Canada is a step in the right direction. In particular, youth and their families/carers need improved access to services to get quality mental health care when and where they need it.

ACCESS Open Minds continues to revolutionize and innovate youth mental health services across Canada to fill critical gaps, including in Indigenous communities. As a united and diverse pan-Canadian network, ACCESS Open Minds gathers invaluable national data through the operation of their Indigenous and non-Indigenous sites alike. Based on an economic evaluation of one site (Edmonton), every dollar invested in ACCESS Open Minds saves $10 in downstream health care costs.

We hope to solidify sustainable funding for youth mental health services and look forward to collaborating with the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions to improve youth mental health services in Canada.