Ottawa, September 24, 2008 – The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) issues a strong reminder to politicians that Canada remains the only G-8 country without a mental health strategy, spending only 5% of its health budget on mental health services.

“Mental health affects us all,” says Dr. Taylor Alexander, CEO, CMHA, National Office in Ottawa.  “Canada loses some $51 billion dollars a year on lost productivity due to mental health problems.  And, studies continue to reveal that one in five Canadians will experience a mental illness sometime during their lifetime.”

During this federal election, CMHA seeks the support and commitment from all political parties to create a national mental health system which is comprehensive, universal and integrated.  Such a system is especially important in times of major economic challenges and workplace stressors.  An effective national system should promote and support resilience for individuals and communities.

“Politicians need to recognize that the main responsibility for creating and maintaining a national mental health system lies with the federal government in partnership with the provinces and territories,” says Dr. Alexander.  “Canadians need a mental health system that ensures high quality services and other key social supports, regardless of income or where they live.” 

CMHA strongly supports the continued work of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, especially, its goal of contributing to a national mental health strategy.  CMHA’s vision of a pan-Canadian mental health system would include -- accessibility, consumer involvement, adequate housing and income, supports for veterans, a recognized role for voluntary sector services, public education and service integration -- based on a firm belief in personal resilience and recovery.

An August 2008 survey conducted by Ipsos Reid for the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) revealed that almost three quarters of respondents (72%) agreed that funding to treat mental illness should be equal to funding for physical illnesses such as cancer.

“We cannot afford to trivialize the mental health needs of Canadians any longer.  Canadians urgently deserve a national, comprehensive system that is accessible to all,” says Dr. Alexander.

About CMHA, National
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), founded in 1918, is one of the oldest voluntary organizations in Canada.  Each year, it provides direct service to more than 100,000 Canadians through the combined efforts of more than 10,000 volunteers and staff across Canada in over 135 communities.  As a nation-wide voluntary organization, the Canadian Mental Health Association promotes the mental health of all Canadians and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness.  CMHA accomplishes this mission through advocacy, education, research, and service delivery.  For further information, please visit www.cmha.ca.

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For further information, please contact:
Kismet Baun, Senior Communications Advisor
CMHA, Ontario,
Toronto (416) 977-5580 Ext. 4141
kbaun@ontario.cmha.ca

CMHA BACKGROUNDER:

CMHA CALLS FOR FEDERAL LEADERSHIP IN CREATING A MENTAL HELATH SYSTEM FOR ALL OF CANADA

• Comprehensive -  covering all key mental health services, from promotion through treatment, through support and recovery
• Universal - covering the whole population of Canada
• Integrated – coherent programs and policies at all levels and across program sectors, linking care, support services, income, housing, and consumer involvement

CMHA’s Vision of a pan-Canadian mental health system includes:

• Accessibility – to all relevant services, for Canada’s diverse population, and across Canada’s diverse geography
• Service Integration – federal initiatives with provinces and territories to integrate coordinated and collaborative mental health services in primary care
• Consumer Involvement – formally supported consumer and family involvement in service evaluation, planning and direction
• Framework for Support – formal recognition of the social determinants of health and recognition of formal and informal supports
• Income – federal leadership with provinces and territories in raising income support standards and integrating with mental health policies
• Housing – federal leadership and work with provinces and territories in enhancing affordable housing provision and integrating where relevant with mental health support programs.
• Role of the voluntary sector – formal recognition at the system level of the voluntary sector as an equitable partner in service planning and delivery
• Recovery – supports guided by this principle, built into policies and standards
• Promotion – of mental health for all Canadians and reduction of stigma against persons with mental health problems
• Development of comprehensive, accessible mental health supports for Canadian veterans returning from active service to help ensure their recovery and reintegration into Canadian society

Mental Health Funding:

Canada is the only G8 country without a mental health strategy. Canada spends 5% of its health budget on mental health services, less than most OECD countries, when the WHO estimates disease burden as 15%. Ontario spends less per capita than most other provinces.  Despite adding $220 million to its mental health spending over the last four years, mental health spending has declined to 3% of Health spending according to the 2007 budget papers.  Other countries have found political will. New Zealand increased its mental health share of spending to 10% over the last 10 years.  The UK has invested £1.9 billion since 2001 and Australia has committed to add $3.8 billion over the next four years. Provincial governments need to commit to spending 8-10% of their Health budgets on mental health care. (Steve Lurie, Executive Director, CMHA, Toronto, Top 10 Strategies to Improve Mental Health Care in Canada)

For further information, please contact:
Kismet Baun, Senior Communications Advisor
CMHA, Ontario,
Toronto (416) 977-5580 Ext. 4141
kbaun@ontario.cmha.ca