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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.

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

CMHA Position on Medical Assistance in Dying

With the passing of Bill C-14, the Canadian Mental Health Association raises concern regarding the criteria eligibility of mental illnesses for medical assistance in dying (MAiD). Specifically, CMHA holds the position that MAiD for psychiatric patients should remain illegal. CMHA asserts that recovery from mental illnesses is possible. CMHA has made the following recommendations to […]Continue readingCMHA Position on Medical Assistance in Dying

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

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

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

Community Committal

For some time now, the CMHA has struggled with the issue of community committal or compulsory community treatment. Proposed as an alternative or a supplement to involuntary hospitalization, community committal has strong support from family groups and the psychiatric profession. Many consumer groups are as strongly opposed. Views on community committal are influenced by personal […]Continue readingCommunity Committal

Violence Towards People with Mental Health Problems

In 1993 CMHA conducted a cross-Canada study of violence towards people with mental health problems. The study focused on people who had experienced violence after becoming consumers of mental health services. It identified that the homes, public places and hospitals are the places where violence is most often experienced by people with mental health problems, […]Continue readingViolence Towards People with Mental Health Problems

Health Research and Training Affecting Women

Mental health professionals require better training to respond to women’s mental health needs. Most training programs presently do not require coverage of gender issues nor do they even attempt to address how women’s experiences are different from men’s. Women’s biological, psychological and social needs are not part of the curriculum in professional schools, and most […]Continue readingHealth Research and Training Affecting Women

Access to Services

Access to mental health services is an issue that significantly impacts all Canadians, whether living with a mental illness or not. When the First Ministers convened this past February to discuss the long-term future of health care in Canada, improving access and quality of community mental health services was identified as one of eight priority […]Continue readingAccess to Services