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NEWS RELEASECanadian Collaborative Mental Health Initiative applauds the establishment of landmark Commission
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 28, 2005 – The recent announcement to establish a Canadian Mental Health Commission is welcome news and an important step in the promotion of mental health and the prevention of mental illness in Canada. The Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Initiative (CCMHI) applauds the move and looks forward to a Commission supporting the integration of mental health in primary health care that is in full operation in 2006. Federal Health Minister Dosanjh described the role of the independent, arms-length Commission as: providing leadership to make mental health a long-term priority of governments; facilitating the exchange of research and best practices; reducing fragmentation of mental health and illness policies and programs; and, developing a strategy to increase awareness and reduce stigma around mental illness. A real strength of the Commission will be the partnerships it will develop with governments, employers, mental health stakeholder organizations and, in particular, Canadians living with mental illness and their families and caregivers. Advisory committees to the Commission will also play a big role in ensuring the breadth of mental health issues in Canada are well understood and adequately represented. “A Mental Health Commission with this mandate is an important step in dealing with mental health and mental illness particularly when services are integrated in primary health care,” states Dr. Nick Kates, Chair of the CCMHI. “Sharing our research and knowledge on best practices in collaborative mental health care, is one area where the CCMHI can contribute.” Throughout its research of collaborative mental health care and dialogue with consumers, providers, and other stakeholders, the CCMHI has found that the people of Canada rely on their primary health care provider for help with a broad spectrum of needs including mental health. Also learned is that mental health care can be strengthened by consumers playing a central role in the design and management of their care in concert with an interdisciplinary team of individuals with collective knowledge, experience and training. The CCMHI has also been encouraged by the leadership shown by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, led by senators Kirby and Keon, in a field characterized by fragmented policies and programs. “The Senate Committee’s early adherence to recovery, its acknowledgement of the centrality of primary health care and the need for interdisciplinary teams has been fundamental to its success,” said Scott Dudgeon, Executive Director of the CCMHI. “We are pleased with the importance that the Senate Committee’s proposal for the Mental Health Commission places on the integration of mental health and primary health care and we agree that some of the significant gains are to be made in this arena.” The CCMHI is a national, two-year initiative that is funded by Health Canada’s Primary Health Care Transition Fund. For more information on the consortium of 12 national organizations that lead the initiative and its deliverables, visit www.ccmhi.ca. For French content, visit: www.iccsm.ca -30-
For more information:
Scott Dudgeon, Executive Director Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Initiative Tel.: 905-629-0900 ext 461 Valerie Gust, Communications Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Initiative Tel.: 905-629-0900 ext 232 Link to Senate Committee's Report (pdf) Link to Health Canada's Annoucement
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