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Along with a commitment to mental health services in general, the provincial government announced several new initiatives last summer.

Groups acknowledge the value of new initiatives but say they don’t solve the fundamental reality of increasing costs and sinking resources.

“It’s one thing for the province to say it’s important,” said Simboli, “but there is all sorts of evidence that funding is inadequate. We’ve been raising the issue and complaining for almost six years now.”

“Expanding into new areas and not properly funding old areas is a shell game,” he added. “More money is, quite simply, what’s needed. On the community side we are running as close to the line as we can.”

New programs are important, said Lisa Ker, executive director of the mental health service and housing provider Salus, because they help community services to be current with new treatment initiatives.

“Ideally, most would say that they would like to see the best of both worlds,” she said, “with new programs being funded and agencies being able to keep up with the cost of living.”

The quality of services to clients are the one thing that can’t be reduced, added Ker whose organization employs 85.

“You have to look at other things you have in your budget, and you look to trim those,” she said. “Services to clients, though, you can’t cut back on.”

In a statement Monday, The Royal said: “These financial constraints come despite the fact that mental health and addictions have been identified as a priority by the provincial and federal governments as well as by the members of our community.”