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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.

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)

Muslim Women’s Mental Health: a study

The community-based research project, Muslim Women’s Mental Health, asked Muslim women in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) to describe their first-hand experiences of mental health and mental health services. CMHA is pleased to present this valuable research, which offers a clear vision for mental health services that respect and understand the specific needs […]Continue readingMuslim Women’s Mental Health: a study

Statement on Universal Basic Income

When the COVID-19 pandemic caused sudden and unprecedented job loss, Canada moved swiftly. The COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan – of which the CERB is a part – provided temporary income support to workers who lost jobs due to the pandemic. In the process, it may have changed the way we […]Continue readingStatement on Universal Basic Income

Written Submission for Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2021 Federal Budget

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 […]Continue readingWritten Submission for Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2021 Federal Budget

Statement on police and wellness checks

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is deeply concerned by the recent deaths of individuals experiencing a mental health crisis across Canada stemming from interactions with the police. Each of these deaths is an unacceptable tragedy. We extend our condolences to the families, loved ones and communities mourning these deaths, […]Continue readingStatement on police and wellness checks