Putting more money into mental health programs will help bring down the cost of the OPP. That’s according to the leader of the Ontario Conservatives, Patrick Brown.
He says municipalities are paying for mental health services by default, because 40 to 50 per cent of OPP calls are for mental health issues.
Last year, the OPP cost the District of Muskoka $16 million, which was then split up between the municipalities. Brown says if the province invests more into mental health care it will take the burden off of police and municipalities.
Overall, Brown says creative thinking is needed to help lower the cost of the OPP and to help those struggling with mental health.
Local mental health organizations raising suicide prevention awareness