Toronto Chinese mental health program faces access concerns

A Toronto mental health program for the Chinese community has been integrated into a larger service, raising concerns about reduced access to culturally sensitive care. The Asian Initiative in Mental Health (AIM) program at Toronto Western Hospital was merged into a broader outpatient service. While UHN states this modernizes care and increases staff, patients and advocates worry about losing Cantonese-speaking therapists and understanding of cultural nuances. AIM was reportedly the only hospital-based mental health program in Toronto serving a specific minority population. UHN maintains patients will still have access to psychiatrists and aims to shorten wait times.