Mental Health Centres Applaud First Ever Mental Health Strategy for Canada

Strategy is a Long Awaited Call to Action on Mental Health

TORONTO, May 8, 2012 /CNW/ - Canada's first national mental health strategy was welcomed by the province's specialty mental health centres: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores), The Royal, and Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care.

Canada was the only G7 country without a national strategy on mental health. "The strategy is comprehensive, focusing on children and youth through to older adults. We know that prevention and early intervention are critical. This means that we need to ensure that our workplaces, our schools and our communities have the right supports," said Carol Lambie, Waypoint President and CEO.

"Mental Illness is a societal issue. The Mental Health Strategy for Canada prompts Canadians to take action and help those affected by a mental illness on their journey to recovery. Integration and collaboration among all sectors is crucial to ensure that key supports such as housing, employment, education and specialized services are available for mental health and addictions recovery," said Glenna Raymond, President and CEO of Ontario Shores.

George Weber, President and CEO of The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, noted that "far too many people who need care are ending up in the criminal justice system; we should be providing treatment to people with mental illness, not warehousing them in our prisons. This strategy paves the way forward for us to work together to increase care and reduce the criminalization of the mentally ill."

The strategy also addresses the diverse needs of our Canadian population - in particular, the health inequities experienced by our aboriginal population. "Today a young aboriginal person is more likely to die from suicide than go to college - this needs to change," said Dr. Catherine Zahn, President and CEO of CAMH.

The four hospitals are working together as part of the Ontario Mental Health and Addictions Quality Initiative committed to improving care, education and innovative research in mental health.

For further information:

Michael Torres, CAMH Media Relations: 416 595-6015 or [e-mail]

Nicole Loreto, Chief Communications Officer, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group: 613 722-6521 ext. 6448 or [e-mail]

Laurene Hilderley, Director of Communications and Fund Development, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care: [phone] ext. 2214 or [e-mail]

Susan Nakhle, Director, Communications and Public Affairs, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences: [phone], ext. 6068 [e-mail]