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WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government is spending more than $4.2 million on improved mental health services for children and youth.

The province announced Monday the new funding will increase access and availability of psychiatric nurses and other services for youth over the next three years.

“HSC’s child and adolescent mental health services provide assessment and treatment to meet the needs of children and youth with teams of nurses, occupational therapists, social workers and psychiatrists,” said Dr. Laurence Katz, medical director, child and adolescent mental health, HSC Winnipeg.

“This investment will allow us to provide appropriate and timely care to more children and youth, improving access to the range of mental health services we provide to patients and families in the community.”

A dedicated clinic for patient followup will be created during the second phase in the next fiscal year. The clinic will ensure medication compliance and ongoing care as well as enhanced rapid access care for patients who can be safely discharged from the emergency department but require a psychiatric assessment within a few days.

A 12-week multidisciplinary crisis treatment program will also be expanded The program includes individual psychotherapy, family therapy and occupational therapy groups, as well as another service for group, individual and family therapy for children and adolescents with mood and anxiety disorders.

Happy to announce that we invested $4.2 million to improve mental health services, making it easier for children and youth to receive treatment. These investments will improve patient flow in the Children’s Hospital ED and reduce wait times for outpatient services. #mbpoli pic.twitter.com/BfbRIcYi40 — Cameron Friesen (@CameronFriesen) November 18, 2019