The Canadian Mental Health Association calls for new legislation to bring mental health into balance with physical health. Over half of Canadians (53%) consider anxiety and depression to be ‘epidemic’ in Canada, with that perception spiking amongst younger people, according to a new survey commissioned by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). Fifty-nine per cent of 18 to 34-year-olds […]Continue readingOver half of Canadians consider anxiety and depression ‘epidemic’
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.
Care not Corrections: Relieving the Opioid Crisis in Canada
In response to escalating rates of opioid-related harms in Canada and the connections with mental illness and addictions, the Canadian Mental Health Association developed an in-depth evidence-based policy paper directed at government, policy makers and health organizations. Led by its national Public Policy Working Group comprised of mental health policy experts across Canada, and in […]Continue readingCare not Corrections: Relieving the Opioid Crisis in Canada
Right to Privacy Related to Mental Health Information Contained within Police Records
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is very concerned with the disclosure of mental health information, such as suicide attempts and apprehensions under various provincial Mental Health Acts, to law enforcement officials and third parties through police information or background checks. Disclosing otherwise private (medical or treatment seeking) information undermines people’s ability to seek appropriate […]Continue readingRight to Privacy Related to Mental Health Information Contained within Police Records
Child and Youth – Access to Mental Health Promotion and Mental Health Care
POSITION “Every child and youth living in Canada deserve to grow up in supportive and nurturing environments, and develop the social and emotional skills they need to work with others cooperatively, resolve conflict and cope with challenges they face in life. “Every child and youth living in Canada should have access to a range of […]Continue readingChild and Youth – Access to Mental Health Promotion and Mental Health Care
World Health Organization Mental Health Policy Project
The goal of WHO’s Mental Health Policy Project is to bring together the latest information on mental health policy and service development. On the site you will find both general information about mental health policy as well as a number of key resources and publications. Click here to read more about the project and access […]Continue readingWorld Health Organization Mental Health Policy Project
Social Research Tool: Canadian Social Data Strategy
The Community Social Data Strategy is an exciting project through which municipalities and community-based organizations can access and analyze detailed research findings from Statistics Canada cost effectively. It is an initiative of the Canadian Council on Social Development in partnership with Statistics Canada. The Community Social Data Strategy was created to raise awareness within the […]Continue readingSocial Research Tool: Canadian Social Data Strategy
Advocacy and Persons with Long-Term Mental Health Problems
Since its inception over seventy years ago, the Canadian Mental Health Association has been a unique advocate for the chronically mentally ill. During the past decade, CMHA has expanded its mandate from promoting service delivery to active support of self-help initiatives and the community resource base. The protection of individual rights in therapeutic programs and […]Continue readingAdvocacy and Persons with Long-Term Mental Health Problems
Women and Mental Health
Social inequality has damaging consequences for the mental and emotional well-being of women. Throughout their lives, women may be considered “at risk” of developing emotional problems due to a host of social factors. Limited participation in public life, restricted decision-making, devalued role expectations, poverty, violence and sexual abuse undermine the potential for emotional well-being. Social […]Continue readingWomen and Mental Health
Women and Health Care
A number of studies on women’s health have demonstrated strong links between health status and socioeconomic factors affecting women. Limited participation in public life, restricted decision-making, devalued role expectations, poverty, violence and sexual abuse encumber the potential for mental well-being. Social and economic stresses, coupled with the inequitable burdens imposed by role expectations, often have […]Continue readingWomen and Health Care
Consumer Involvement
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a strong supporter of the need for a strong consumer voice in all aspects of mental illness/mental health policy, planning, and delivery – from participation to decision-making to choice. As articulated in CMHA’s Framework for Support model, consumers – that is, people who have had direct experience with […]Continue readingConsumer Involvement