Knowledge Exchange for Mental Health

This report on provincial and territorial mental health strategies was written by the Caledon Institute of Social Policy at the request of the Graham Boeckh Foundation.  The Foundation aims to improve mental health care in Canada by strategically leading and funding projects.

The majority of jurisdictions in Canada have introduced formal mental health strategies.  While each province and territory states its objectives in unique ways, these can be summarized as several distinct, but related, goals.  They all seek to enhance the mental health of the overall population, intervene early for people considered to be at risk of mental health problems, improve the quality and quantity of mental health treatment services, and ensure the availability of adequate community supports.

Despite the unique approaches, the report explores the challenges that are common to all provinces and territories.  These challenges are discussed within the context of three main clusters related to responsiveness, resources, and governance and accountability.

The paper argues that within each challenge area, there is a wide range of opportunities for the exchange of knowledge.  Such exchange would help improve the quality of service, raise the bar of provision throughout the country by building on good practice and make better use of scarce resources.

The report concludes with a summary of major considerations for the future.  These include treatment advances such as client-centred care and individualized funding; the use of technology such as tele-health records and tele-services for remote areas; and research innovations that affect both mental health treatment and accountability.

ISBN – 1-55382-578-0