TORONTO (May 9, 2006) – The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) supports the recommendations released today in a Senate Committee report on mental health, mental illness and addictions in Canada.

“CMHA is pleased that the final report of the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science & Technology is now available and to see the recommendations in the report.  We believe that the tremendous work the Committee has done during the last few years will improve the quality of life for people experiencing mental illness and addictions in Canada.”  said Penny Marrett, CEO of the CHMA.

 “CMHA congratulates the Committee on its work,” Marrett added. “The CMHA is ready to work with governments, their agencies, and other stakeholders across the country to make these recommendations a reality.”

Canada is one of the only G-8 countries without a national strategy for mental health and mental illness.  The CMHA, a founding member of the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health, supports the call for a strategy on mental health and mental illness for the people of Canada and urges the federal government to work with the provincial and territorial governments and stakeholders in the mental health community to develop and implement such a strategy. CMHA strongly supports the establishment of a Mental Health Commission that facilitates and acts as a catalyst to bring together all stakeholders to improve the quality of life for those affected by mental illness.

The CMHA strongly endorses the establishment of the Mental Health Transition Fund. This basket of community services approach is essential as it provides the funding for affordable housing for persons experiencing mental illness. “Housing is a key determinant of health, and as a society, we should ensure that decent housing is available to everyone,” Marrett stated.

The Canadian Mental Health Association is a leading national, voluntary organization within the mental health sector.  For more than 90 years, it has existed to promote the mental health of all people in Canada, and to serve mental health consumers, their families and friends through education, public awareness, research, advocacy and direct services.  In addition to its National office, the CMHA has provincial, territorial and regional offices in more than 135 communities across Canada.

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The full report Out of the Shadows at Last

For more information please visit www.cmha.ca or contact:

Steve Williams or Robert Stephens
PR POST
416-777-0368