Media Release
Chamber Tackles Health and Economic Solutions to Address Mental Health and Addictions
January 25, 2023(TORONTO– January 25, 2023) – Today, Michelle Eaton, Vice President of Public Affairs of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), released the following statement to mark Bell Let’s Talk Day, a year-round initiative that focuses on raising awareness around mental health.
“Mental health challenges and illnesses impact everyone, either directly or indirectly. Unfortunately, according to Statistics Canada, over half of Canadians report their mental health has worsened since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This issue is extremely important to our members across Ontario, impacting the health care system, labour force and economy.
“We have long championed the importance of improved mental health care and access through research, advocacy and, in recent years, developed toolkits to support mental health and wellness in the workplace. Of particular concern are the ongoing opioid overdose crisis and the surging mental health “echo pandemic”. Strategic investments and partnerships will be necessary to address these challenges and guard against the associated socioeconomic and health system impacts.
“Over the coming year, the OCC will take on research to accelerate health and economic solutions to address the impacts of the opioid overdose crisis and the mental health echo pandemic. We look forward to working with our partners and policymakers to improve mental health care and access for everyone.”
-30-
About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, non-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC’s mission is to convene, align and advance the interests of its members through principled policy work, value-added business services and broad engagement to drive competitiveness and economic growth in the province.
For more information, please contact:
Andrea Carmona
Manager, Public Affairs,
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
andreacarmona@occ.ca | Mobile: (647) 234-0255
For additional resources, visit: https://occ.ca/mentalhealth/.