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Public Policy

The Canadian Mental Health Association is the only association in Canada that addresses all aspects of mental health and mental illness. We promote and advocate through strong connections we forge with policymakers, mental health consumers and their families, educators, the media, stakeholders and other service providers.

CMHA’s National office influences public policy at the federal level with a multi-faceted approach that includes strengthening our relationship with government officials and politicians. In addition, we focus on the ongoing submission of briefs and presentations to Standing Committees on Finance, Health, Human Resources Development, Justice and others.

CMHA Policy Statements articulate the general principles and recommendations relating to a particular issue which are endorsed by the CMHA.

A logo for reconciliation: CMHA shows solidarity with Indigenous peoples in Canada

In honour of the children who died at residential schools and in recognition of the survivors and their families, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) will be changing the colour of its logo to orange until Orange Shirt Day on September 30. Beyond the symbolic, the orange logo also signifies our commitment to reconciliation with […]Continue readingA logo for reconciliation: CMHA shows solidarity with Indigenous peoples in Canada

Canadian Mental Health Association on Reconciliation and mental health

STATEMENT Toronto, ON June 21, 2021 – The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is deeply troubled by the findings of the remains of 215 children in unmarked and undocumented graves at a residential school in Kamloops, BC. We extend our deepest condolences to those who are grieving and for whom this news reawakens or compounds […]Continue readingCanadian Mental Health Association on Reconciliation and mental health

Round 3 of national survey shows pandemic is taking an emotional toll

The pandemic is taking an emotional toll on people in Canada, as 77% of adults report feeling so-called negative emotions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The five most common responses across Canada were ‘worried or anxious,’ ‘bored,’ ‘stressed,’ ‘lonely or isolated’ and ‘sad’. This is according to the third round of data from […]Continue readingRound 3 of national survey shows pandemic is taking an emotional toll

Women’s access to supervised consumption services: a study

As many Canadians continue to lose their lives to opioid poisonings, understanding how to prevent these tragic and preventable deaths is essential. The opioid poisoning crisis has been called a “men’s health crisis”. Policy, research and the media have not focused on women’s needs, even though women who use drugs are exposed to greater risks […]Continue readingWomen’s access to supervised consumption services: a study

CMHA applauds Budget 2021 investments in Mental Health

ANNOUNCEMENT The Canadian Mental Health Association Applauds Budget 2021 Investments in Mental Health Toronto, April 20, 2021: Today, Margaret Eaton, National CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), the most established and extensive community mental health organization in Canada, made the following statement in response to the federal budget: The Canadian Mental Health Association […]Continue readingCMHA applauds Budget 2021 investments in Mental Health

Investing in community-based mental health services for long-term pandemic recovery

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused extreme national anxiety with mental health effects like nothing we have seen before. Research suggests that Canadians will still be struggling with their mental health long after a vaccine is available. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has made the case to the federal government that it must act now to respond to an “echo pandemic”. A healthy population and a healthy workforce will only be possible with the right […]Continue readingInvesting in community-based mental health services for long-term pandemic recovery

A new “Social Contract” for a Mentally Healthy Canada

Canada has been suffering through a mental health crisis that has worsened since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Declared a public health emergency in many parts of Canada last year, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unpredictable and unwieldy health and economic crisis that threatens Canadians’ mental health, and especially the mental health […]Continue readingA new “Social Contract” for a Mentally Healthy Canada

New national survey finds Canadians’ mental health eroding

The second wave of the pandemic has intensified feelings of stress and anxiety, causing alarming levels of despair, suicidal thoughts and hopelessness in the Canadian population. This, according to the newest wave of data collected through a nationwide monitoring survey on the mental health impacts of COVID-19, released today by the Canadian Mental Health Association […]Continue readingNew national survey finds Canadians’ mental health eroding

Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs regarding Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)

Comments provided by the Canadian Mental Health Association to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs regarding Medical Assistance in Dying and Bill C-7, on November 23rd, 2020: Good afternoon and thank you for the opportunity to speak today on behalf of the Canadian Mental Health Association. My name is Andrew Galley, and […]Continue readingPresentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs regarding Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)