In May, the Mental Health Commission of Canada released a national strategy for completely overhauling the country’s mental health care system. The strategy suggests increasing the percentage of health care dollars spent on mental health from 7 percent to 9 percent, which amounts to a CAD$4 billion increase. Aimed at addressing the stigma of mental health and reducing access barriers, the strategy focuses on six proposals, including the promotion of mental health and prevention of mental illness, the provision of access to the right mental health services, treatments, and supports, and collaboration with First Nation, Inuit, and Metis communities, where mental health issues and addiction are major problems.
Sources:
- http://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e3350 (subscription required)
- http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/new-health/andre-picard/mental-health-strategy-calls-for-complete-overhaul-4-billion-commitment/article2424337/ (subscription required)
