[Date]

[Address of MP]

Dear [Name],

As a constituent in [riding], [job title] at [organization name], and a [member/supporter] of [Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) or your community mental health organization]. I am writing to urge you to take action to address the serious and growing mental illness and substance use disorder crisis in Canada.

Our health care system is not equipped to handle the current levels of demand, leading to significant strain on health care services, which means that more Canadians are looking elsewhere for help. Community-based organizations are well-positioned to address gaps in the mental health care system. They can offer resources, programs, services, and coping mechanisms to those seeking mental health support.

The challenge is, community mental health groups are critically underfunded, leaving them unable to meet this growing demand for services, particularly for conditions like anxiety and depression. As part of your election platform, I am requesting you to declare your support for the role community health organizations serve in our community to improve the health and well-being of residents in our community. [Insert 2-3 sentences containing information on your organization/clinic and information on the community that it is in, if available].

I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you at [organization name] to provide a tour of our organization and programs. I would also like to sit down with you to discuss the opportunities and challenges we have before us, and how we can work together to build a stronger, more resilient community moving forward.

Some examples of how the government could address the mental health crisis are:

• Support community-focused mental health services to address the serious issue of mental illness (including substance use disorders) affecting millions of Canadians across the country

• Support system transformations with technological advances that support access to timely, accurate, and effective mental health care

Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of Canadians affected by mood disorders like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. You can learn more about the MDSC at https://mdsc.ca/advocacy/.

I am happy to connect with your office to schedule a meeting to further discuss key advocacy goals. Please contact me at [phone number] or by email at [email].

Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[signature] [name] [job title & organization]