Press Releases
CAMIMH Applauds Historic Amendment to the Canada Health Act
OTTAWA, October 11, 2024 — On World Mental Health Day, Member of Parliament, Gord Johns (Courtenay-Alberni) rose in the House of Commons and tabled Bill C-414 An Act to Amend the Canada Health Act (mental, addictions and substance use health services). This signals a significant step in the modernization of the Canada Health Act, enacted in 1984. If passed, this Bill will provide the people of Canada access to a wider array of publicly funded supports for mental health and substance use health in their communities.
Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health Honours 2024 Champions of
Mental Health as Part of Mental Illness Awareness Week
OTTAWA, October 10, 2024 — Today, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and
Mental Health (CAMIMH) marks Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), taking place from October 6 to October 12, 2024. This annual national campaign shines a spotlight on the realities of mental illness in Canada and aims to promote understanding, reduce stigma, and improve access to mental health and substance use health care across the country.
2024 Mental Illness Awareness Week: Access for All – Time for Action, Time for Change
OTTAWA, October 4, 2024 — The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental
Health (CAMIMH) is proud to lead the annual Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) from October 6 to October 12, 2024. This national campaign aims to raise awareness about the ongoing challenges many Canadians face in accessing timely mental health and substance use health care.
Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health Announce 2024 Mental Illness Awareness Week Theme - Access For All: Time For Action, Time For Change
OTTAWA, June 13, 2024 — The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is proud to once again lead Canada’s annual Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), a national public education campaign that aims to spotlight the barriers to accessing mental health and substance use health services for Canadians.
Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health Launches 2024 Champions of Mental Health Campaign
OTTAWA, May 6, 2024 — The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is proud to announce the launch of nominations for the 2024 Champions of Mental Health Awards. This annual campaign acknowledges the importance of accessible and inclusive mental health and substance use health services through increased awareness and education.
CAMIMH Welcomes New Mental Health Funding and Calls for Further Government Action
OTTAWA, April 17, 2024 — The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) welcomes the federal government’s announcement to establish a multi-year Youth Mental Health Fund. This earmarked funding will assist in reducing wait times and expanding care options, enabling younger Canadians to access the essential mental health care they need.
Canadians Give Governments an ‘F’ in Meeting Their Mental Health and Substance Use Health Needs: CAMIMH Poll
OTTAWA, January 18, 2024 — Federal and provincial governments are getting a resounding ‘F’ from Canadians when it comes to providing mental health and substance use health care services, according to the second annual National Report Card survey from the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH).
Shutting Down Wellness Together Canada Bad Mental Health & Substance Use Health Policy
OTTAWA, February 22, 2024 — On February 8, 2024 the federal government announced it would stop funding and close the Wellness Together Canada (WTC) portal on April 3, 2024. WTC was originally created by the government in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. This decision puts an end to a low barrier, universal point of access to mental health and substance use health services.
Canadians Give Provinces Failing Grades on Access to Mental Health Services
March 21, 2023 (OTTAWA)—In surveying Canadian residents who have accessed mental health services in the past year, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) found that the provinces received a collective grade of “D” in providing access to mental health professionals. View the full report here.
Federal Health Funding Offer Prioritizes Mental Health and Substance Use Health; Excludes Canada Mental Health Transfer
February 8, 2023 (OTTAWA)—The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is pleased to see that that the federal government’s health-care funding proposal to the provinces and territories identifies mental health and substance use health as a high priority.
Investing in Mental Health Must be a High Priority for First Ministers
February 6, 2023 (OTTAWA)—Knowing that First Ministers will be meeting tomorrow to discuss the future of health care in Canada, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) calls on all leaders to ensure that investments in mental health and substance use health services remain a high priority.
Sixty-five Organizations Call on Federal Government to Immediately Establish the Canada Mental Health Transfer
October 12, 2022 (OTTAWA)—Today, in an open letter to Minister Carolyn Bennett, Federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, sixty-five national health associations and related organizations call on the federal government to immediately establish the Canada Mental Health Transfer.
Announcement of 2022
Champions of Mental Health
August 4, 2022, OTTAWA— The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is proud to announce this year’s winners of the Champions of Mental Health Awards. This annual advocacy campaign celebrates seven exceptional Canadians who have worked to advance the mental health agenda in Canada. These exceptional individuals were nominated by peers, colleagues, friends, and community members for the impact they have had in mental health advocacy, both at the local, provincial, and national levels. A CAMIMH selection committee, comprised of CAMIMH members including health care providers and organizations that represent people with mental illness, their families and caregivers reviewed the submissions.
Timely Access to Mental Health Care Must be a Top Priority
April 11, 2022 (Ottawa) – In responding to the federal government’s 2022 Budget, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is supportive of the combination of health and social policy investments that improve access to virtual mental health care, promote substance use health and provide affordable housing for priority populations including Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and Veterans.
April 11, 2022 (Ottawa) – In responding to the federal government’s 2022 Budget, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is supportive of the combination of health and social policy investments that improve access to virtual mental health care, promote substance use health and provide affordable housing for priority populations including Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and Veterans.
Now is the time for meaningful action on mental health and substance use health parity
December 8, 2021 (OTTAWA)—Today, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is calling on the federal government to take immediate, meaningful action by introducing legislation designed to expand access to publicly-funded mental health and substance use health programs and services with the launch of the Parity Pledge.
Federal Leadership Essential to Expand Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Programs and Services
OTTAWA — June 21, 2021 — Well before the COVID-19 pandemic, timely access to accessible and inclusive mental health and substance use health programs and services in Canada has been a longstanding concern, with long wait times being more the rule than the exception.
Federal Leadership Essential to Expand
Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Programs and Services
June 17, 2021 (Ottawa) – Well before the COVID-19 pandemic, timely access to accessible and inclusive mental health and substance use health programs and services in Canada has been a longstanding concern, with long wait times being more the rule than the exception.
Federal Budget is a Missed Opportunity for Mental Health
April 20, 2021 (Ottawa) – The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) appreciates the significance of yesterday’s federal budget, which identified a series of social, health and economic investments that can place Canada on the road to recovery from the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health announces new accessible website and the launch of the 2021 Champions Campaign
OTTAWA, April 13, 2021 – Today, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is pleased to announce the launch of a new and improved website. Among the changes, CAMIMH is proud to be taking steps to improve the accessibility of their online information and resources by implementing AODA compliance standards, which will be fully available by year end.