Advocacy groups decry federal government's shutdown of mental health website, app

Mental health and addictions experts are slamming the federal government's decision to shut down an online service that offered help with finding free counselling and peer support over the last four years.

Health Canada announced in February that it would stop funding the Wellness Together Canada website and PocketWell app on April 3.

Despite a public plea from an alliance of 18 mental health and addictions organizations for the government to reconsider, the service ends at 11:59 p.m. EDT Wednesday.

«We know that tens and thousands, if not millions, of Canadians are in need of mental health and substance use health support. And that has only worsened as a result of the pandemic,» said Sarah Kennell, national director of public policy for the Canadian Mental Health Association, which is one of the alliance members.

Economic insecurity and anxiety about issues like climate change are also driving mental distress and people need free access to help more than ever, Kennell said.

«Cost is one of the primary barriers that (people) cite when explaining why they can't get the care that they need,» she said.

Counselling, psychotherapy and addictions treatment are usually private, meaning that people must pay out of pocket for them or have private insurance, which often covers only a limited amount of care, she said.

«That's where Wellness Together really filled the gap. It's free. It's available 24/7 to anyone in the country who's looking for help,» Kennell said.

Program launched early in COVID-19 pandemic

Health Canada launched the program on April 15, 2020 in response to the toll the COVID-19 pandemic was taking on people's mental health. The website and app connected people to peer support workers, social workers, psychologists and