CAMH aims to be a champion for health equity, social justice and inclusion for those with mental illness including addiction.
CAMH advocates for public policies that are responsive to the needs of people impacted by mental illness and substance use disorders.
CAMH’s new strategic plan re-affirms our commitment to driving positive change at the system level.
We accomplish this by communicating and advocating for evidence-based public policy. Our policy positions are developed in collaboration with a range of experts including scientists, clinicians, educators and people with lived experience.
Primary Prevention of Harms Related to Substance Use: Promising Practices
Current strategies to address the harms of substance use generally have four dimensions or “pillars”: prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and enforcement. Government efforts to address these harms tend to emphasize treatment and, to a lesser extent, harm reduction. While these are essential components of a public health response to substance-related harms, there is a need to look upstream and design interventions intended to prevent harm from occurring in the first place. Primary prevention is a public health strategy meant to do exactly that. In the context of substance use, primary prevention seeks to prevent health harms from substance use by reducing associated risk factors and strengthening protective factors. This discussion paper presents some examples of evidence-based primary prevention strategies.
February 2025
Shifting our Approach to Mental Health Care: Prevention and Early Intervention in Psychosis
Psychosis and related disorders typically emerge during young adulthood and have a significantly negative impact on people throughout their lives. Evidence-based Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) services are the best treatment currently available to young people in the early stages of psychosis. Despite the benefits of these services, existing EPI programs do not intervene early enough to reverse many of the disabilities associated with psychosis. That is why we need to identify young people at risk of psychosis earlier in their lives and provide interventions that mitigate or prevent the development of psychosis. In this policy paper, we provide an overview of early psychosis intervention work to date and review some of the clinical and research initiatives that are setting the stage for psychosis prevention and mental illness prevention more broadly. The paper concludes by providing recommendations for governments and decision-makers to help shift our collective approach to mental health care. This means pivoting from a focus on providing care and treatment as usual, to implementing mental illness prevention and intervention strategies across the lifespan.
August 2024
CAMH Statement about the loss of supervised consumption sites and needle exchange programs
Supervised consumption and needle exchange programs are essential healthcare services. They are evidence-based and life-saving interventions, known to reduce the incidence of fatal overdoses, help reduce the transmission of HIV, hepatitis C, and other blood-borne infections, and increase referrals to treatment. CAMH hopes the Ontario government will maintain these services as a part of its new hub model.
A coalition of public health, research and advocacy, and community mental health and addictions organizations is renewing a call for the Ontario government to reconsider its plans to dramatically expand alcohol availability across the province. In this statement, CAMH and nine other organizations outlines the reasons for concern and make 10 recommendations to the province.
June 2024
Sports betting ads: Submission to the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications
The Senate is currently considering Bill S-269, An Act respecting a national framework on advertising for sports betting. In this submission, CAMH commends this bill’s call for measures to restrict the number, scope, and location of sports betting ads in Canada. However, we recommend it be broadened to address the advertising of all forms of gambling, not just sports betting.
March 2024
CAMH Gambling Policy Framework
This document presents the latest evidence around gambling-related harms and the policies that can mitigate them. The overarching message of the Framework is that to reduce gambling-related harms, focus must shift from the individual who gambles to the context in which gambling takes place. To that end, it proposes nine evidence-informed recommendations towards a public health approach to gambling. (Cliquez ici pour la version française.)
December 2023
Legislative Review of the Cannabis Act: Submission to the Expert Panel
In this submission to the Expert Panel conducting the legislative review of the Cannabis Act, CAMH offers recommendations to ensure that harm minimization measures in the Act are protected. Recommendations touch on the areas of THC levels, retail access, price, and packaging, labelling, and promotion.
November 2023
Submission to the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying
As Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) for people with mental illness as their only medical condition is set to become legal in March 2024, Dr. Tarek Rajji – on behalf of CAMH – made a presentation to the Special Joint Committee on MAiD. The presentation affirmed CAMH’s longstanding position: that we are concerned about the expansion of MAiD to people whose sole underlying medical condition is mental illness, at this time, because the health care system is not ready. Because of this, CAMH urges further delay in extending MAiD eligibility to people with mental illness as their only medical condition until the health care system is ready and health care providers have the resources they need to provide high quality, standardized and equitable MAiD services.
July 2023
Climate Change and Mental Health - FAQ
Climate change is negatively affecting our mental health and emotional well-being. Emerging evidence links climate change hazards to a range of mental health problems and illnesses, including stress, anxiety, depression and PTSD. In this FAQ, we look at how climate change affects mental health, particularly those in vulnerable communities, and how mental health systems can respond. We also look at what individuals, communities and governments can do to reduce the impacts of climate change on mental health.
Health Canada recently concluded a consultation on potential amendments to federal cannabis regulations. Among the questions in the consultation was whether Health Canada should consider amending packaging requirements for dried and fresh cannabis. In this submission, CAMH outlines why the packaging and labelling elements of the cannabis regulations – particularly the restrictions on logos, and branding, the mandatory health and product information, and the prescribed formats for information on labels – are necessary to achieve the Cannabis Act’s public health and public safety objectives.
CAMH Aging and Mental Health Policy Framework
The number of older adults with mental illness and/or dementia is increasing in Canada. This will not only have a significant impact on the lives of seniors and their loved ones, but also our health care system. That’s why we must have good public policies that prioritize older adults’ mental health. In this Aging and Mental Health Policy Framework we provide an overview of mental illness and dementia in later life and take a look at the prevention, intervention and treatment options available to mitigate symptoms and improve quality of life. We also look at some challenges experienced by older adults with mental illness and dementia, as well as opportunities for improving seniors’ mental health. We end by offering five principles, with recommendations, for developing comprehensive policy in this area.
March 2023
CAMH Considerations on Operationalizing MAiD for Mental Illness
CAMH has made several public statements outlining our concerns with the federal government’s intention to extend eligibility for MAiD to people whose sole medical condition is mental illness. While there is now a temporary delay to this expanded eligibility, MAiD for mental illness is set to become legal in Canada in March 2024. CAMH has established a working group to make recommendations on the operationalization of MAiD for mental illness. The structure of this working group, the questions it is grappling with, and early thoughts to clarify key clinical issues may provide perspective and insight for other hospitals and organizations undertaking similar decision-making processes.
February 2023
Psychedelics – FAQs Psychedelics are substances that can cause a range of psychological effects. Some cultures have a long tradition of using psychedelics for spiritual, religious, and healing purposes. They have also been used recreationally. Recently there has been a lot of interest in the potential use of psychedelics as medicine. Research involving psychedelic-assisted therapy has shown promising results for some specific mental health and substance use-related conditions. At the same time, private businesses have been investing billions of dollars in psychedelics, and public conversations about psychedelics often contain unfounded claims and speculation about their potential therapeutic value. It can be difficult to know what to believe, which is why CAMH has created an FAQ.
Open Letter from TAHSN ED physicians
In this open letter, physicians from across TAHSN hospitals encourage Mayor Tory and City Councillors to vote in favour of the recommendations being brought to City Council on February 7, 2023 by the Board of Health that would allocate funding for expanding the number of 24-hour warming locations during the winter months and ensure that these services are low barrier and provide walk-in access.
On February 2, 2023 the federal government introduced legislation to delay MAiD for people whose sole medical condition is mental illness. Click here to view CAMH’s response statement.
November 2022
Legislative review of the Cannabis Act: Joint submission to Health Canada The federal government is conducting a review of the Cannabis Act, as required by the legislation. In this joint submission, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR) make 11 recommendations to ensure that Canada’s approach to cannabis policy continues to put public health first. In particular, we call on the government to ensure that the harm minimization measures in the Cannabis Act are maintained, protected, and enforced.
September 2022
CAMH Submission to the Ontario Human Rights Commission The Ontario Human Rights Commission recently conducted a consultation on poverty and systemic discrimination at the intersection of housing and mental health and addiction disabilities. In this submission, CAMH discusses the multiple ways that systemic and intersectional discrimination in social assistance, housing and mental health care create and sustain poverty for people with mental health and addiction disabilities. We also highlight the additional discrimination experienced by people with mental health and addiction disabilities who also have a history of involvement in the criminal justice system.
May 2022
CAMH Submission to Special Committee on MAiD Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) for people whose sole medical condition is mental illness is set to become legal in March 2023. The government recently assigned a Special Joint Committee to complete a required review of MAiD legislation, including the expansion of MAiD to people with mental illness. In this submission to the Committee, several of CAMH physician leaders explain their concerns about extending MAiD eligibility, at this time, to include people whose sole medical condition is mental illness.
April 2022
Regulating the legal cannabis market: How is Canada doing? The Cannabis Act contains a requirement that the legislation be reviewed three years after it comes into effect in order to assess its impact on public health. That review is expected to begin later in 2022. This CAMH report examines cannabis legislation and regulation across the country to determine the extent to which Canada’s model for legal cannabis is consistent with a public health approach. Overall, we find that Canada’s regulations are optimal in the area of advertising, marketing and promotion; adequate with respect to minimum age as well as tax and price; while some provinces and territories – especially those with private retail systems – have work to do around controlling availability.
February 2022
Housing Policy Framework
Housing is a key social determinant of health and a significant component of recovery and wellbeing for people with serious mental illness. Unfortunately, there is a lack of affordable and supportive housing in Canada. CAMH’s Housing and Mental Health Policy Framework 2022 updates our previous work in this area (Housing Policy Framework 2014) to reflect and account for new evidence and recent policy developments. Its purpose is to provide a model for housing and mental health policies that effectively address the needs of people with mental illness, including those with substance use disorders. The Framework offers governments and decision-makers recommendations for developing comprehensive housing and mental health policy and provides six high-level principles as guidance.
September 2021
Statement on the decriminalization of substance use
CAMH has long supported a public health approach to substance use. There is broad support for decriminalization in Canada, but this model can take many forms. With this statement, we aim to support policymakers as they consider changes to Canada's drug policies. (Also available in French).
July 2021
Alcohol deregulation: Submission to the Ministry of Finance
In this submission, CAMH responds to a consultation about proposed regulations under the Liquor Licence and Control Act. We make the point that problems arise when applying a business lens to alcohol sales. Measures that may seem reasonable from a business perspective are not necessarily appropriate for a product that comes with inherent health risks.
November 2020
Presentation to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights On Bill C-7
Bill C-7 proposes several amendments to Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) legislation, including a temporary prohibition on MAiD for people whose sole medical condition is mental illness. In this presentation to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, Dr. Tarek Rajji explains why CAMH supports this temporary prohibition.
October 2020
Mental Health and Criminal Justice Policy Framework
This document updates CAMH’s 2013 Mental Health and Criminal Justice Policy Framework to reflect and account for new evidence and recent policy developments. Its purpose is to provide a model for mental health and criminal justice policies that effectively address the criminalization of mental illness and to inform federal and provincial initiatives in this area.
Supervised consumption sites and services: Submission to Health Canada
Opioid overdose deaths have been on the rise across Canada since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Along with prevention and treatment, harm reduction plays a critical role in decreasing the impact of drug-related harms. This submission, which is a response to a Health Canada consultation, makes recommendations towards enhancing access to supervised consumption sites and expanding the types of services they offer.
July 2020
Suicide Prevention: A Review and Policy Recommendations Suicide is a tragic and complex public health problem that impacts individuals, families and communities. Across the globe, almost 800,000 people die by suicide every year, or about 1 person every 40 seconds. In this paper, we highlight suicide-related statistics for Canada, provide an overview of risk factors and warning signs, and discuss a range of suicide prevention strategies that are known to work or that show promise of future success. We offer five recommendations to governments and decision-makers on how to advance suicide prevention efforts in Canada.
Submission to the Toronto Police Services Board Virtual Town Hall
When people with mental illness experience a crisis in the community and are not able to get the mental health care that they need the results can be tragic. This injustice is compounded by racism – particularly anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism. The system of crisis response as it exists today does not work. People experiencing a mental health crisis need health care. In this submission to the Toronto Police Services Board Virtual Town Hall, Dr. Catherine Zahn, CAMH’s President & CEO, calls for a new direction in crisis care.
Mental Health in Canada: COVID-19 and Beyond - CAMH Policy Advice
COVID-19 is both magnifying and contributing to Canada’s mental health crisis. The health, economic and social consequences of the pandemic are taking their toll on the mental health of the population, with some groups at greater risk of developing more severe difficulties. Governments at all levels have recognized the negative impact that COVID-19 can have on mental health and are ensuring that resources, supports and care are available. But more is needed. In this paper, CAMH looks at the mental health impact of COVID-19 on Canadians and makes 5 recommendations to governments and decision-makers on how to support Canadians’ mental health during COVID-19 and beyond.
January 2020
Submission to the Department of Justice on the Consultations on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD): Eligibility Criteria and Request Process The Government of Canada has committed to changing federal Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) legislation by March 11, 2020, making MAiD for people with non-terminal illnesses, including people with mental illness as their only medical condition, an imminent reality. In this submission to the Department of Justice, CAMH reiterates our reservations about this decision, but accepts that it is the way forward. We make two recommendations to government on how to address this complex moral and ethical issue.
CAMH Alcohol Policy Framework update
This document updates CAMH’s 2013 Alcohol Policy Framework to reflect and account for new evidence and recent policy developments. Its purpose is to recommend policies and regulation that effectively address the health and social harms that often accompany alcohol use and to inform provincial and local initiatives in this area. (Cliquez ici pour la version française.)
Closed Quarters - Housing and Justice paper
People with mental illness who are involved in the criminal justice system frequently experience precarious housing and/or homelessness. In Closed Quarters, CAMH along with our partners, the Wellesley Institute, John Howard Society – Ontario and Canadian Mental Health Association – Ontario look at the issues faced by people who needs intersect and overlap the housing, mental health and justice sectors in Ontario. Based on the research evidence and consultations across sectors, the report offers three recommendations to government.
Check the directory below for a full list of documents:
Bill C-45 (Cannabis Act): Submission to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
In this submission, we commend the federal government for its approach to cannabis legalization and draw attention to one remaining and significant area of concern: controls on advertising and promotion.
Bill C-54 ('Not Criminally Responsible on Account of Mental Disorder' defence): Letter to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (June 2013)
