The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Joedy Wall, Minister of Health and Community Services and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions:

Speaker, timely access to mental health and addictions services is essential to the well-being of every resident.

I am proud to rise in this Honourable House today to share progress on our commitment to expand these services throughout the province.

Budget 2026 builds on that commitment, helping people get the supports they need, when they need them.

Last month in Corner Brook, we announced four dedicated short-stay beds at the Humberwood Treatment Centre to strengthen community-based detox services, along with six more beds to increase inpatient capacity.

Recruitment is underway for the expansion of the mobile crisis response teams to Carbonear, Burin, Clarenville and Sheshatshiu, so more people can access support close to home.

Our government has invested $3 million to hire more mental health professionals.

To ensure mental health supports for youth, Doorways is expanding in schools throughout the province. Choices For Youth is also expanding Integrated Youth Services hubs.

We have invested in sober living homes, increased funding for community partners, such as the Eating Disorder Foundation, and launched the Hope and Healing Guide, which offers information and resources for survivors of suicide loss and people who support them.

Speaker, our government will keep working to improve our mental health and addictions system and ensure timely access for all of us.