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Creation

The Canadian Mental Health Association originally began as the Canadian National Committee for Mental Hygiene (CNCMH), founded by Dr. Clarence M. Hincks and Clifford W. Beers on April 26, 1918. Hincks was very interested in the field because he had experienced bouts of mental illness and noticed a lack of support for veterans' mental health.

The first meeting of the organization included objectives like a psychiatric examination of recruits, adequate care of returned soldiers suffering from mental disabilities, a mental examination of immigrants to ensure a better selection of newcomers, adequate facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of cases of mental disease, adequate care of the mentally deficient, and prevention of mental disease and deficiency.

Hincks then worked on finding medical professionals to join the committee such as C.K. Clarke, Dean of Medicine and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and the medical faculty of McGill. Hincks then established a Board of Directors, including Lord Shaughnessy, President of the CPR; Richard B. Angus, Montreal financier and philanthropist; Dr. C.F. Martin, Professor of Medicine, McGill University; Sir Vincent Meredith, President, Bank of Montreal; and F.W. Molson, President of Molson's Brewery.

Hincks gained support through "drawing-room meetings" where socially prominent women invited their wealthy and influential friends for afternoon teas. Co-founder Clifford W. Beers, would then present on Beers' own mental illness and the sometimes abusive treatment he received. The strategy was extended to homes of friends in Quebec City, Montreal and Ottawa, and it proved successful by recruiting an impressive list of potential members and donors.

The first official meeting of the CNCMH was held in Ottawa on April 26, 1918. A provisional constitution was adopted, Dr C.F. Martin, Professor of Medicine at McGill University, was elected President, Dr C.K. Clarke was appointed Medical Director, and Dr. C.M. Hincks was appointed Associate Medical Director and Secretary.

Current Programs

Peer Support Canada

Peer Support Canada is an organization which specializes in connecting certified people who have experienced and beaten mental health issues with current sufferers. The group also offers a certification, a three-phase program where individuals are be assessed and verified based on the national Standards of Practice regarding the knowledge and skills necessary to assist those with mental health challenges.

Not Myself Today

Not Myself Today is a campaign directed at addressing mental health issues by cultivating a better workplace culture through training and services in corporations. Companies that utilize the program receive a toolkit comprised of planning support, awareness and engagement activities, and evaluation tools. Participants are also obtain access to an exclusive online portal, as well as national recognition from the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Carryit

The CMHA introduced Carryit in 2019, a toolkit to be used by those involved in schools to carry with them in case of opioid overdoses. The kit includes a method by which schools can create opioid overdose protocols through providing educational materials on opioids and naloxone, fact sheets related to drug use, social media content examples, posters, and other useful tools to create an understanding and blueprint of how to combat drug overdoses in educational institutions.

Recovery Colleges

The CMHA has introduced Recovery Colleges that bring together both trained professionals and those who have lived with mental health issues to develop and deliver courses designed to facilitate the hope and skills necessary to help students recover. They are based off of a similar system that was started in 2009 in the UK and have spread to several locations in Canada, thus far. Peer Support Canada has also played an integral role in connecting those with shared experiences to provide emotional support and have collaborative discussions in how to achieve recovery.

Shortcomings

Kingston Branch Closure

In March of 2020, the Canadian Mental Health Association was forced to close down its Kingston Branch due to a lack of financial support. After 40 years of operations, the branch's overhead costs were too high to sustain and were not being met through the fundraising efforts and grants that fuel the organization. A change in Ontario's health funding as well as insufficient donations did not provide adequate capital to continue operations. The branch focused on ensuring programs previously offered through the Kingston CMHA would be adopted and available through other non-for-profit agencies, including the Polson Park Free Methodist Church, TransFamily Kingston, and Elizabeth Fry Kingston. All remaining funds were donated to partners within the community.

Bill C-14

In June of 2016, Bill C-14 passed through the Parliament of Canada to legalize euthanasia in Canada. The bill made it so that those who wish to receive a medically assisted death are permitted to do so through the assistance of a medical practitioner. In September of 2017, the Canadian Mental Health Association released a public declaration opposing the bill, asserting that recovery is possible for those with metal health issues and that MAiD should not be treated as a substitute for treatment and support. The CMHA proposed recommendations to the Canadian government including investments in mental health and addiction services, a national suicide prevention strategy, and research. Despite the CMHA's declaration and recommendations, Bill C-14 is still enacted as law to this day.