CAMH’s Mission, Vision, Values, Goals and New Directions

Strategic Planning 2009-2012

 

Our Mission

Improving the lives of those affected by addiction and mental health problems and promoting the health of people in Ontario and beyond.

 

Our Vision   

Strong and healthy communities, in which people with addiction and mental health problems can access appropriate and effective services and live as full participants.

 

Our Values

1.       Client-centred practice
We put the client at the centre of what we do. We focus on individual client needs and strengths, showing mutual respect, encouraging client participation and empowerment, developing cultural and clinical competencies and promoting clients’ rights.

2.       Family-sensitive
We recognize the needs of families and their critical role in supporting people with mental health and addiction problems. We involve family members, as defined by the client, as we support clients in all stages of their care and recovery.

3.       Holistic view of health
We believe in understanding and helping the whole person in ways that are holistic and focused on recovery. We believe that health is a complete state of physical, emotional, spiritual and social well-being. We are committed to a multi-dimensional view of health and illness.  Our approach to service weaves evidence-based practice with wellness and a focus on the broad determinants of health.

4.       Respect
We believe that treating people with respect is a key guiding principle for any effective and healthy organization.  We have a shared responsibility to treat those who use our services, our partners and other stakeholders with consideration and esteem, mindful of different values and norms.  We recognize the essential rights and dignity of all peoples.

5.       Diversity, inclusion and health equity
We are committed to eliminating differences in health status between groups and to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.  We believe in the principles of equity and access and will respect the diversity of individuals and communities we serve by having inclusive policies and practices for our governance, services and employment.   We will work to change social and economic policies and practices that create barriers to opportunity. 

6.       Continuous learning
We foster creativity, discovery, learning and sharing of ideas. We believe in ongoing learning, scholarship and self-scrutiny at all levels in the organization, and in sharing the results of our learning with others.

7.       Partnership
We will build respectful, collaborative and effective partnerships.  We are but one participant within the health system. Our collective work is strengthened through partnerships characterized by mutual respect, teamwork and open communication.

8.       Evaluation and accountability
We will improve, monitor and evaluate our services. We will be accountable to our stakeholders. We will conduct ourselves in a responsible, transparent and ethical manner and uphold high standards of care and practice. We recognize our responsibility to use our resources efficiently and effectively.  We will engage our stakeholders and build relationships based on shared values and interests.

 

Our Goals

1.   Improve Care and Enhance Health:  CAMH will improve client-centred quality care, enhance health and client safety and improve access to programs and services. 

2.   Discover, Share and Apply New Knowledge:  CAMH will build a culture of integrated and collaborative approaches to discovering, sharing and applying new knowledge.

3.   Influence Public Policy and Promote Positive System Change:  CAMH will be a leading and collaborative voice in influencing responsive public policy and broad system improvement.

4.   Be the Best Place to Work and Learn:  CAMH will become the best place to work and learn – attracting, supporting and retaining the best team of staff, physicians, volunteers and students.

5.   Ensure Long Term Sustainability and Development:  CAMH will ensure the long-term sustainability and development of programs and services by effectively using resources and diversifying our funding sources.

6.   Provide Effective Information Management Systems and Technology:  CAMH will develop integrated information management systems and technology to support leadership in clinical care, research, health promotion and education.

7.       Develop Innovative Facilities:  CAMH will transform the Queen Street site into an innovative care, health promotion, research and education village linked to the community and satellite locations.

 

Our New Strategic Directions

Through the functional integration of its Clinical, Research, Policy, Education and Health Promotion programs, CAMH will:

1.       Advance Clinical Specialization and Transform Care
We will continue to build a new model of care, designed to support recovery and in keeping with our specialty role in the mental health and addiction system. 

While developing our specialty role, we will maintain emergency, general and acute care services and work with partners to strengthen service networks in a number of key areas.  This work is critical to building an integrated continuum of services and to improving access for people needing mental health and addiction services.

2.       Foster a Climate of Discovery, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange
Building on and enhancing our research strength, we will emphasize knowledge exchange to expand the reach and impact of our discoveries.  We are committed to using our research to advance knowledge of mental health and addiction issues, enhance the range of effective treatment options, build system capacity and influence public policy. 

3.       Build System Capacity
CAMH will continue to use its expertise to develop resource materials and training programs to advance health promotion and shape an effective mental health and addiction treatment system. 

In concert with these efforts, we will develop and advance opportunities for clinical capacity building in response to our stakeholders’ call for more direct access to CAMH clinical expertise “in the moment”.  Initially, these new approaches will focus on our work with the primary care sector and include the use of tele-health and videoconferencing technology to extend our clinical reach beyond the GTA.

4.       Develop and Extend our Resources
Like all healthcare organizations, we will face financial challenges in the coming years.  We will develop new approaches and partnerships to address gaps and optimize the use of resources within CAMH and across the system. We will advocate for more appropriate recognition of and support for mental health and addiction services.

5.       Foster a Healthy Workplace
CAMH will foster a healthy workplace for people to excel in a culture that embraces diversity and is committed to quality improvement, teamwork, safety and respect.

We value our staff and recognize that they will face many new challenges and opportunities during this period of ongoing transformation.  We are committed to supporting our employees and facilitating their professional growth and development to ensure that CAMH can fulfill its mission, vision, values and strategic directions.

 

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