NDP leader Andrea Horwath visited Windsor Monday to further discuss her plans to introduce universal mental health care in Ontario.
On Sunday, Horwath announced that an NDP government would bring in a $1.1 billion plan to cover counseling and therapy fees through OHIP.
"One of the big barriers to receiving service is that you have to pull out your credit card and that's just not one for a lot of people. So, what we're saying is all you have to do is pull out your OHIP card and you'll be able to get the supports and services that you need," said Horwath.
The universal mental health plan would provide a minimum of six counselling and therapy treatments, rising to 12 sessions for patients who need it.
The plan also includes training more professionals to reduce wait times for community services.
"No parent should ever be in a situation where they're watching their child's mental health deteriorating before their eyes, waiting in anguish and worry while their child is on a waitlist," said Horwath.
Currently, the Windsor-Essex region has one of the longest waitlists for children's mental health services in the province.
Horwath promises to implement this plan if her party forms the government in the next provincial election on June 2, 2022.
The party estimates that for every dollar invested in mental health, an average of $2 will be saved in other areas like social services, emergency services, and the justice system.
