The CMHA 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.

Learn more through Ottawa Update, a periodic report from CMHA’s Ottawa-based Director of Public Issues, and our archive of Briefs and Submissions.

CMHA Policy Statements articulate the general principles and recommendations relating to a particular issue which are endorsed by the CMHA. Read our position papers on such issues as Federal Income Security Programs, Housing for Persons with Disabilities, Mental Health and Unemployment, Women and Mental Health, Cross Cultural Mental Health, Women and Work, Violence Towards People with Mental Health Problems and more.

Statement of Issues

Mental Health Priorities of the Voluntary Sector

CMHA's Citizens for Mental Health project, funded by Health Canada through the Voluntary Sector Initiative, provided an opportunity for consultations with a wide variety of voluntary organizations about the mental health issues of importance for their constituents and their recommendations for a federal government response. The outcomes of these consultations were remarkably consistent across organizations, and attest to a common understanding of the social determinants of health as mental health issues. "Mental Health Priorities of the Voluntary Sector" describes the process, presents the findings, and analyzes the significance of Citizens for Mental Health.

Click here to download the PDF version of this document. 

Income Security and Housing

The following two issue papers on housing and income security are intended as tools in support of efforts to improve the mental health of all, including people with mental illness, by ensuring access to adequate housing and sufficient income.

Income Security

This income security backgrounder was developed by the Canadian Mental Health Association's (CMHA) Citizens for Mental Health project: a two year project which came to a close in May 2004.The project goal was to enhance the capacity of the voluntary sector to engage in federal level policy initiatives related to mental health. Through a series of consultations with a range of voluntary sector organizations, income security was identified as a key determinant related to the mental health of every community.

Click here to download the PDF version of this document.

Housing

This housing backgrounder was developed by the Canadian Mental Health Association's (CMHA) Citizens for Mental Health project: a two year project which came to a close in May 2004. The project goal was to enhance the capacity of the voluntary sector to engage in federal level policy initiatives related to mental health. Through a series of consultations with a range of voluntary sector organizations, housing was identified as a key determinant related to the mental health of every community. This backgrounder provides a tool in support of efforts to improve the mental health of all, including those with mental illness, by ensuring access to safe, affordable and appropriate housing as individual circumstances necessitate.

Click here to download the PDF version of this document.