🔺Michele Sparling, MIR’s Post

Community mental health is a significant part of the mental health system. Unfortunately, years of underfunding have resulted in significant wage gaps. These organizations receive funding from the government, similar to hospitals and other areas of healthcare, to provide care, and they too are limited by government restrictions on spending funds, on wage increases, one-time funding, etc. The significant wage gap that exists between community mental health and roles in schools, hospitals, justice, and even private sector (including virtual care), has seen a departure from community mental health for higher paying roles, and a challenge to recruit and retain staff. All this at a time when the demand for mental health is greater than ever. All this at a time that integrated care where community care, acute care, and social support organizations work in partnership to create a healthcare system that works for the populations it serves is a focus of the Government. It is time for a plan that closes the gap, that recognizes the value of community health, and ensures that people are able to get the care they need close to home, in their communities, when they need it. #CloseTheGap #CommunityMentalHealth #Wages