Project IN4M is a multi-sectoral project managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in association with the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC). This collaborative initiative proposes to explore the feasibility of taking needs-based human resources planning from theory to practice in the mental health domain. The MHCC sees a need for a predictive tool […]Continue readingProject IN4M: Literature Review and Environmental Scan
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.
Project IN4M: Integrating Needs for Mental Well-Being into Human Resource Planning
In order to provide contextual qualitative information on the design and delivery of needs-based planning models, the Project IN4M team conducted four case studies of existing approaches to planning human resources. Case studies for the purpose of this project are a study of a unit, such as an organization, that stresses factors contributing to its […]Continue readingProject IN4M: Integrating Needs for Mental Well-Being into Human Resource Planning
Project IN4M: Online Survey Results
During August and September 2010, IN4M staff surveyed experts on existing planning models and to determine strategies to deal with the current lack of data; these strategies included a discussion of the use of data proxies – facts, figures or criteria. The survey results will form the basis for a national roundtable of policy-makers from […]Continue readingProject IN4M: Online Survey Results
Depression Among Seniors in Residential Care
This Analysis in Brief by the Canadian Institute for Health Information looks at symptoms and diagnoses of depression in a sample of nearly 50,000 seniors living in 550 Canadian residential care facilities (also known as long-term care, nursing or personal care homes) in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Yukon. Relationships between depression and […]Continue readingDepression Among Seniors in Residential Care
Depression in Ontario: What Predicts a First Mental Health Rehospitalization?
The purpose of this analysis by the Canadian Institute for Health Information was to identify various factors related to whether or not a person was readmitted following a first-ever stay in hospital for the treatment of depression. To do this, the analysis examined various socio-demographic, treatment, clinical and discharge environment characteristics and assessed their relationship […]Continue readingDepression in Ontario: What Predicts a First Mental Health Rehospitalization?
The Windows of Opportunity for Mental Health Reform in Ontario
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario has prepared this review to offer insights into strategies and action plans of other jurisdictions’ activities in mental health reform. The similarities in core elements reflect the growing recognition of factors that influence mental health and support the journey of recovery. The differences in implementation reflect the variations […]Continue readingThe Windows of Opportunity for Mental Health Reform in Ontario
Federal Budget Initiatives: Enhancing the Economic Basis for Mental Health
In this 2009 submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance, the Canadian Mental Health Association advocates that income support and other measures to prevent and reduce poverty can play several roles with regard to mental illness and mental health. We have attempted to mainstream our advocacy to cover three areas of importance […]Continue readingFederal Budget Initiatives: Enhancing the Economic Basis for Mental Health
A Proposal to Establish a National Health Human Resources Infrastructure Fund
The implementation of Medicare in the 1960s required a major investment in capacity-building to train health professionals. The Heath Resources Fund Act – introduced by the federal government in 1966 played a key role in enabling a significant expansion in training capacity across the provinces for a range of health practitioners. Over forty years later, […]Continue readingA Proposal to Establish a National Health Human Resources Infrastructure Fund
Poverty Reduction: A Necessary Component of the Federal Government’s Mental Health Strategy for Canadians
People living with mental illness are severely affected by social and economic inequality. Through no fault of their own they face extended and often lifetime unemployment, social exclusion, isolation, relationship distress, poor physical health and lack of hope for the future. In Canada, persons who suffer from mental illness constitute a disproportionate percentage of persons […]Continue readingPoverty Reduction: A Necessary Component of the Federal Government’s Mental Health Strategy for Canadians
The Association Between Socio-Economic Status and Inpatient Hospital Service Use for Depression
Although lower socio-economic status (SES) has been linked consistently with higher rates of mental illness, it has not always been associated with higher rates of mental health service use. In this Analysis in Brief the relationship between SES, as measured by neighbourhood income, and inpatient hospital mental health service use for depression was examined in […]Continue readingThe Association Between Socio-Economic Status and Inpatient Hospital Service Use for Depression