The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is the Canadian association founded on April 26, 1918 by Dr. Clarence M. Hincks and Clifford W. Beers. Originally named the Canadian National Committee for Mental Hygiene, it is one of the largest and oldest voluntary health organizations operating in Canada.^[1]

Each year, CMHA divisions and branches across Canada provide service to more than 1.3 million Canadians annually through the combined efforts of more than 10,000 volunteers and 5,000 staff in locally run organizations in more than 300 communities in every province.^[2] Its functions are to provide the resources and programs necessary to combat mental health issues and support recovery.

History

Creation

The Canadian Mental Health Association originally began as the Canadian National Committee for Mental Hygiene (CNCMH), founded by Dr. Clarence M. Hincks and Clifford W. Beers on April 26, 1918.^[3] Hincks was very interested in the field because he had experienced bouts of mental illness and noticed a lack of support for veterans' mental health.^[4]

The first meeting of the organization included objectives like a psychiatric examination of recruits, adequate care of returned soldiers suffering from mental disabilities, a mental examination of immigrants to ensure a better selection of newcomers, adequate facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of cases of mental disease, adequate care of the mentally deficient, and prevention of mental disease and deficiency.^[3]

Hincks then worked on finding medical professionals to join the committee such as C.K. Clarke, Dean of Medicine and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and the medical faculty of McGill. Hincks then established a Board of Directors, including Lord Shaughnessy, President of the CPR; Richard B. Angus, Montreal financier and philanthropist; Dr. C.F. Martin, Professor of Medicine, McGill University; Sir Vincent Meredith, President, Bank of Montreal; and F.W. Molson, President of Molson's Brewery.^[3]

Hincks gained support through "drawing-room meetings" where socially prominent women invited their wealthy and influential friends for afternoon teas. Co-founder Clifford W. Beers, would then present on Beers' mental illness and the sometimes abusive treatment he received. The strategy was extended to homes of friends in Quebec City, Montreal and Ottawa, and it proved successful by recruiting an impressive list of potential members and donors.^[3]

The first official meeting of the CNCMH was held in Ottawa on April 26, 1918. A provisional constitution was adopted, Dr C.F. Martin, Professor of Medicine at McGill University, was elected President, Dr C.K. Clarke was appointed Medical Director, and Dr. C.M. Hincks was appointed Associate Medical Director and Secretary.^[3]

Hospital Surveys

Lieutenant Colonel Colin Russel soon gave the CNCMH an opportunity to undertake a project. Russel was the consultant neurologist to the Department of Soldiers and had visited many of the provincial mental hospitals which were caring for soldier patients. He was particularly distressed with those facilities in Manitoba. That province's government included with the mental hospitals in the province, all the institutions presently caring for the mentally disordered or defective including jails, schools, special homes and juvenile courts.

On September 30, 1918, Hincks and Keyes arrived in Winnipeg, where they visited several institutions. They also toured the Salvation Army Industrial Home and the Home for Incurables in Portage la Prairie and were so shocked by what they found that they immediately returned to Winnipeg to consult with government representatives. The CNCMH prepared a confidential report on its findings which was submitted to the government and the Public Welfare Commission.

As a result of the Manitoba Survey, and that province's quick response in implementing the recommendations, other provinces became interested in having similar surveys. During the next four years, requests for surveys were received from British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. As in Manitoba, these surveys included all institutions. Results of these surveys, however, have had controversial implications, including how they were used to argue for pro-sterilization policies by the Alberta Eugenics Board and in the form of the Sexual Sterilization Act of Alberta.

The CNCMH also was very involved in the plight of soldiers. It became evident to Hincks that soldiers under care were not receiving adequate treatment. Assisted by Miss Keyes, Dr. Clarke conducted a quick inspection of soldier patients in 10 hospitals in the western. The results of this preliminary survey were published in 1920. Highlighting the problem of shell shock and other neuropsychiatric disorders affecting so many able-bodied men helped pave the way for the work of the National Committee.

Schoolchildren Surveys

Schools were other areas of involvement. Dr. Hincks and Dr. Helen MacMurchy pressed for surveys to assess the extent of mental retardation and other psychiatric disorders among schoolchildren and to provide support for the establishment of auxiliary classes for the special education of such children. In its first five years, the CNCMH built a firm foundation for meeting the objectives established in 1918. Surveys on the care and treatment of people suffering from mental disorders were conducted in every province. Mental hospitals in all provinces, except Ontario and Quebec, were inspected at the request of provincial governments. The extent of mental disorder was found to be greater than expected, and preventive programs were non-existent. Under the committee's recommendations, provincial governments spent over six million dollars on improving facilities for the mentally ill.

CNCMH surveys of schoolchildren, conducted in several centres in Ontario and Quebec, resulted in over 150 special classes for retarded children being established by school boards. Mental Hygiene clinics were promoted and, in some cases, partially supported. A study of the psychiatric screening of immigrants resulted in a reduction in the number of new Canadians with mental disorders. The problem of "shell shock" and the rehabilitation of soldiers suffering from mental and nervous disorders was addressed through co-operation with DSCR and the Director General of Medical Services in the army. A beginning was made on public and professional education in mental hygiene and psychiatry.

Current Programs

Peer Support Canada

Peer Support Canada is an organization which specializes in connecting certified people who have experienced and beaten mental health issues with current sufferers.^[5] The group also offers a certification, a three-phase program where individuals are be assessed and verified based on the national Standards of Practice regarding the knowledge and skills necessary to assist those with mental health challenges.^[6]

Not Myself Today

Not Myself Today is a campaign directed at addressing mental health issues by cultivating a better workplace culture through training and services in corporations.^[7] Companies that utilize the program receive a toolkit comprised of planning support, awareness and engagement activities, and evaluation tools. Participants are also obtain access to an exclusive online portal, as well as national recognition from the Canadian Mental Health Association.^[8]

Carryit

The CMHA introduced Carryit in 2019, a toolkit to be used by those involved in schools to carry with them in case of opioid overdoses. The kit includes a method by which schools can create opioid overdose protocols through providing educational materials on opioids and naloxone, fact sheets related to drug use, social media content examples, posters, and other useful tools to create an understanding and blueprint of how to combat drug overdoses in educational institutions.^[9]

Recovery Colleges

The CMHA has introduced Recovery Colleges that bring together both trained professionals and those who have lived with mental health issues to develop and deliver courses designed to facilitate the hope and skills necessary to help students recover.^[10] They are based off of a similar system that was started in 2009 in the UK and have spread to several locations in Canada, thus far. Peer Support Canada has also played an integral role in connecting those with shared experiences to provide emotional support and have collaborative discussions in how to achieve recovery.

Public Policy Statements

The CMHA releases public statements criticizing local, provincial, and federal regulation as they pertain to mental health. Often, the statements express the organization’s perspective on a certain issue and subsequently call for action.

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)

The Canadian Bill C-14 formally legalized assisted dying and laid out the foundations of how it can be accessed by the patients in need. In September 2017, CMHA released a statement declaring their position that MAiD for psychiatric patients should remain illegal.^[11] This statement is rooted in the organization’s core belief in recovery from illness. The organization continued to provide the government with a number of recommendations including:

• Ensuring that recovery-oriented practices are implemented
• Continuing to invest in community mental health and addictions services and supports
• Developing and funding the implementation of a national suicide prevention strategy
• Investing in research to better understand mental illnesses.

Call for Mental Health Legislation

In September 2018, CMHA called for new legislation to bring mental health into balance with physical health. This statement followed a survey commissioned by the CMHA discovered that over half of Canadians (53%) consider anxiety and depression to be ‘epidemic’ in Canada.^[12]

Opioid Crisis Response

Following the escalating rates of opioid-related injuries and deaths in Canada in 2009, CMHA developed and in-depth evidence-based policy and regulation paper directed at the Canadian government, policy markers and health organizations. CMHA gathered resources and organizations such as the Public Policy Working Group, the National Council of Persons with Lived Experience, the national provincial executive team and the national board of directors in drafting this policy paper.^[13]

Proposal to Establish a National Health Human Resources Infrastructure Fund

In August 2009, the CMHA endorsed Health Action Lobby’s (HEAL) document concluding that a health human resources infrastructure is required in Canada. CMHA cited an aging workforce and a higher volume and complexity of population health needs as reasons to establish this fund, along with the fact that the last similar act (Health Resources Fund Act) was introduced over 50 years ago in 1966.^[14]

Shortcomings

Kingston Branch Closure

In March of 2020, the Canadian Mental Health Association was forced to close down its Kingston Branch due to a lack of financial support. After 40 years of operations, the branch's overhead costs were too high to sustain and were not being met through the fundraising efforts and grants that fuel the organization.^[15] A change in Ontario's health funding as well as insufficient donations did not provide adequate capital to continue operations. The branch focused on ensuring programs previously offered through the Kingston CMHA would be adopted and available through other non-for-profit agencies, including the Polson Park Free Methodist Church, TransFamily Kingston, and Elizabeth Fry Kingston.^[16] All remaining funds were donated to partners within the community.

Bill C-14

In June of 2016, Bill C-14 passed through the Parliament of Canada to legalize euthanasia in Canada. The bill made it so that those who wish to receive a medically assisted death are permitted to do so through the assistance of a medical practitioner.^[17] In September of 2017, the Canadian Mental Health Association released a public declaration opposing the bill, asserting that recovery is possible for those with metal health issues and that MAiD should not be treated as a substitute for treatment and support.^[18] The CMHA proposed recommendations to the Canadian government including investments in mental health and addiction services, a national suicide prevention strategy, and research. Despite the CMHA's declaration and recommendations, Bill C-14 is still enacted as law to this day.

See also

• Mental health
• Mental Health Commission of Canada
• Mary Scullion
• Ride Don't Hide - Charity riding event to raise awareness of mental issues

References

External links

• Official website
• Canadian Mental Health Association history