Community-based mental health and addictions

The Big Picture

Community-based mental health and addictions care offers an alternative and/or complement to hospital-based care. Often, mental health and addictions issues can stem from gaps in one’s “social determinants of health” – a series of social and economic factors that contribute to well-being. The 27 Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) branches across Ontario offer services and programming, from housing to food security to income supports and beyond, tailored to supporting the social determinants of health so individuals can get well and thrive within their own unique circumstances. Community mental health programs like crisis response and mobile clinics also offer an alternative to hospital-based care that often result in significant health care cost savings and reduce strain on emergency rooms. 

Concerns you’re likely to hear

Community mental health organizations need to do more 

Community mental health organizations play a critical role in supporting people before they reach a crisis. Their work includes crisis response, supportive housing, case management, addictions services and other supports that help people stay well and connected to their communities. CMHA branches are helping more Ontarians than ever, but our resources are limited. 

Homeless and underhoused people make our communities unsafe 

Homelessness is a symptom of a bigger problem. People are homeless because they are not getting the housing and supports they need. Investing in housing, mental health and addictions care helps create healthier, safer communities for everyone. 

People who use food programs and income supports are unwilling to support themselves 

People may access food programs and income supports when they are experiencing financial hardship or difficulty meeting their basic needs. These programs can provide important short- or long-term support and help promote greater stability. 

What the evidence says

  • The Canadian Institute for Health Information reports 41 per cent of adults with a diagnosed mental health condition who needed mental health care had needs that were only “partially met” or were “completely unmet” last year. The same report indicates there were 325 hospitalizations per 100,000 Canadians that could potentially have been avoided with better access to community care, up from 312 per 100,000 the previous year.i 
  • In 2024-25, there were more than 654,000 cases (families, single adults) and 973,000 beneficiaries (claimants, their partners, dependents) in Ontario’s social assistance programs.ii 
  • Every dollar invested in supportive housing programs provides $1.60 to $3 in savings through reduced use of hospitals, shelters and correctional facilities. A month in supportive housing costs under $4,000 compared to $6,000 in a shelter, $12,000 in jail or nearly $30,000 in hospital care.iii 
     
  • An analysis of crisis response models from just 10 CMHA branches showed they diverted more than 17,700 visits to emergency departments in two years. With the average cost for a mental health emergency department visit in Ontario estimated at $423, these branches saved $7.5 million in hospital costs.iv 
  • 27 CMHA branches served more than 121,000 unique individuals in 2025, up from 100,000 in 2019. That’s a 21 per cent increase in service. 

What you can do

  • Reach out to your closest CMHA branch to learn more about local collaborations between community-based organizations and hospital-based services. 
  • Advocate for sustainable provincial and federal investments in needed health and social services, including supportive housing and voluntary treatment for mental health and addictions. 

Innovative approaches from CMHA branches 

  • Supportive housing models at Ontario CMHAs have proven to have a positive impact on clients’ mental well-being and housing stability. Up to 69 per cent of supportive housing costs are offset by savings in other areas, such as shelter and health care.v 
  • Several CMHA branches offer integrated primary care. A primary care visit costs one-third of an emergency room visit, and integrated primary care reduces emergency visits by 36 per cent.vi 
      
  • Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinics offered by CMHAs deliver low-barrier treatment for alcohol and opioid use. Clients attending RAAM clinics use emergency departments up to 80 per cent less often, freeing up hospital capacity. In 2023-24 alone, RAAM clinics served over 23,000 Ontarians, saving $460 million in health care costs.vii 

Learn more

Questions? Contact us at info@cmhabriefingroom.ca 

Sources for this factsheet are available at cmhabriefingroom.ca/resources