As part of Canada’s rapid research response to COVID-19, the Government of Canada is providing $115 million to support mental health research in relation to COVID-19 through the:
- Knowledge Synthesis Grant: COVID-19 Rapid Research Funding Opportunity in Mental Health and Substance Use
- Enables rapid knowledge synthesis and mobilization plans to address evidence gaps
- Builds the evidence base as part of the mental health and substance use response to COVID-19
- Operating Grant: COVID-19 Mental Health & Substance Use Service Needs and Delivery
- Tackles the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and substance use
- Develops new models of health services for mental illness and problematic substance use to address the expected increased needs due to COVID-19
The Government of Canada is also giving $82.5 million in mental health and wellness supports to help Indigenous communities adapt and expand mental wellness services, improve access and address growing demand, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will help partners and communities to adapt mental wellness services to the current COVID-19 context, including:
- Expanding access to culturally appropriate services such as on the land activities, community-based health supports and mental wellness teams;
- Adapting mental health services, such as virtual counselling, to meet increased demand; and
- Supporting Indigenous partners in developing innovative strategies to address substance use and to improve access to treatment services.
