P.E.I.'s mobile mental health program to continue with federal funding extension

The federal government is extending its funding for another year to the island's mobile mental health program. It provides support for people who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. The funding from Ottawa was originally set to end in the spring. The program is funded by the provincial and federal governments. It allows islanders to call a number answered by a mental health professional and get care. That could include sending a mobile team to them. Medavie Health Services, which does operational management of the program, is proud of what it's done. In a statement it says, mobile mental health has played an important role in supporting Islanders experiencing mental health challenges, providing timely, compassionate care when and where it is needed most. In April, Health Minister Corey Deagle said Ottawa was cutting more than $29 million in health care funding to the province over the next few years, including $2.6 million for the mobile mental health units and student well-being teams. He said the province would have to absorb the entire cost without that money. they come in with say a five-year agreement and they provide funding and then the five years is up and the federal government pulls out and then the province is left kind of holding the bag to say okay how do we continue funding this important program obviously we're in difficult financial times across Canada all provinces so we need the federal government to come to the table and work with us so we can continue to offer these important programs in a statement about the federal government Extension, the province says the federal government's announced intention to extend funding for mental health, addictions and home care by an additional year is a positive step. However, predictable, sustainable long-term funding is essential to maintaining service continuity and supporting future planning. The local paramedic union is happy to see the funding extended and hopes all the programs get renewed. Well, when Islanders have a feeling of having services and resources at their disposal and suddenly they become cut, there's repercussions and those repercussions usually affect the acute care and that's the emergency setting and the EMS system. The province says it will work with its partners to advocate for a long-term federal funding commitment that reflects the mental health and addictions needs of Islanders. Connor Lamont, CBC News, Charlottetown.