The Quebec government has announced a $35-million investment in mental health, saying the province now has its first public psychotherapy program.
It includes upgraded training for health professionals.
“There was a lack of coverage regarding psychotherapy,” said Health minister Gaetan Barrette, who made the announcement on Sunday.
“What we’re announcing today is for diagnosed mental illnesses, coverage will be extended to psychotherapy in all instances”, he added.
Christine Grou, president of the Quebec Order of Pyschologists, spoke with CTV.
"It's going to give access to psychotherapy, which is a treatment, which is efficient and we know that the population needs that. We will see if it's sufficient, but for me, I mean, mental health is part of health. So, it's very important to give access to treatment", Groulx told CTV.
The program is similar to one in Great Britain, which began 10 years ago.
“It works. It is the only transformation that has occurred in the Western world that showed positive and very significant results. The results are overwhelming over there,” said Barrette.
“When we take their numbers, transpose to the Quebec population, the $35 million we’re putting on the table should do the job”, accordingt o Barrette.
According to the health ministry, the program will annually offer therapy to three per cent of Quebec’s population, with 600,000 in-face appointments and 260,000 people with more severe conditions receiving more intensive care.
The program is expected to begin next year.
-With files from CTV