Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) believes that through greater collaboration with mental health groups, healthcare stakeholders, and government officials, we can improve the mental healthcare system so that all Canadians can access the supports and programs that they need, when they need it, in the communities where they live.

Let’s build a future where no one waits for mental health care. Mental health is health, and everyone deserves the care they need without delay.

Our healthcare system is under tremendous strain, particularly in the area of mental health. The ongoing mental health crisis has left millions of Canadians facing unacceptable wait times for essential services, from emergency care to specialized psychiatric treatment. Many individuals are left without the support they need, exacerbating their conditions and placing additional pressure on an already overburdened system.

Community mental health organizations play an indispensable role in addressing these challenges. These organizations are often the first point of contact for those seeking help and provide essential services that complement the care offered by primary healthcare providers. However, despite their critical importance, community mental health organizations have been underfunded for decades, leaving them unable to meet the growing demand for their services.

The proposed Community Mental Health Fund would address this gap by providing much-needed resources to these organizations. The fund would support capacity building, foster partnerships between mental health organizations and healthcare providers, and enable the development of evidence-based programs that can be tailored to the specific needs of communities across Canada.

This investment is not just about improving access to care—it is about creating a more efficient and effective mental health system that can reduce wait times, alleviate pressure on emergency and primary care services, and ultimately improve the well-being of Canadians. The fund would also support research and evaluation efforts, ensuring that programs are effective and that resources are used strategically.

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MDSC has a demonstrated track record for forging and maintaining meaningful and sustained partnerships with the public, private and non-profit sectors throughout Canada. Collaboration is an MDSC operational principle. MDSC fulfills its mandate through an active partnership approach that engages like-minded organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors. MDSC is engaged on an ongoing basis in a wide range of projects and initiatives designed to support the inclusion of persons with disabling mental illnesses in Canadian society and has taken a lead proactive role in public policy and program development in many capacities on the national stage.

The recommendation calls for the Government of Canada to invest $50 million over five years in a Community Mental Health Fund. This fund is crucial to building the capacity of mental health organizations across the country, enabling them to better serve those impacted by mental illness and to support the dedicated care providers who work tirelessly to meet the needs of Canadians.

MDSC greatly appreciates the support from our sponsors which will enable our organization to advance our mandate which centers on improving the lives of people impacted by mental illness, caregivers and their families. As a national non-profit charitable organization, we would not be able to undertake these national projects that will benefit all Canadians without assistance from the private sector. We would like to thank our sponsors for their contribution to assisting us in our work for improving mental health services and supports across Canada.