CAMH’s Strategic Plan, Vision 2020: tomorrow.today, re-affirms our commitment to advocating for public policies that are responsive to the needs of people with mental illness, including addictions. As one of the six pillars of this plan, CAMH is committed to “Driving Social Change” by communicating evidence-based public policy to stakeholders and policymakers. Our policy positions are developed in collaboration with a range of experts including scientists, clinicians, educators and people with lived experience.
What's new:
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.
December 2019
Regulating the sale of vaping products: Letter to the Toronto Board of Health
In this letter, CAMH endorses the recommendations of the Medical Officer of Health with respect to the regulation of e-cigarettes and related products.
September 2019
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.)
April 2019
Proposed changes to alcohol availability in Ontario: CAMH commentary
In this statement, Dr. Jürgen Rehm and Dr. Samantha Wells explain why alcohol “choice and convenience” comes at the expense of public health and safety.
February 2019
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.
December 2018
The future of Canada’s national drug strategy: Submission to Health Canada
The federal government recently conducted consultations on the future of the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy. In this submission, CAMH offers recommendations towards strengthening Canada’s approach to substance use issues.
Education in Ontario: Submission to the Ministry of Education
The Government of Ontario recently conducted consultations across the province to get input on the education curriculum for Grades 1-8. CAMH’s submission specifically addresses the health curriculum. Our recommendations focus on enhancing mental health and substance use teachings in consultation with education and child-development experts.
Check the directory below for a full list of documents:
