Advocacy
MDSC, in its national advocacy role, is invited to present formal briefs and positions before the Senate, House of Commons’ committees, and other federal bodies and initiatives. These documents represent consumer and family perspectives on matters that are of interest to them.
Recent Activity
Statement on the 2024 Federal Budget
MDSC was pleased to see that Budget 2024 includes much-needed investments in mental health, Veterans, and health research. As we all know, mental illness impacts most families. Each of us, or someone close to [...]
Delays and Inequities Rock Canada’s Public Drug Coverage System
“System Broken: How Public Drug Coverage is Failing Canadians with Mental Illness” Report An urgent call to the Government, provincial Health Ministers and Drug Plan Managers to remove administrative barriers to help Canadians BELLEVILLE, [...]
New National Collaborative Addresses the Need for Change in Mental Health Space
Focus on Cooperation for a Stronger Mental Health Community Belleville, October 25, 2023 -- Today, a new national mental health collaboration was launched. The Canadian Community Mental Health Network (CCMHN) unifies individual community-based organizations across [...]
Lead the Charge: Your Community Holds the Key to Revolutionizing Mental Health Care
As published in The Hill Times on October 23rd, 2023 Canadians are suffering, over 70% have reported their mental health has worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, 62% of those Canadians reported the [...]
Call for Recognizing Grassroots Community Mental Health Organizations in National Health Agreement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OCT. 12, 2023 (Belleville) – Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) commends the Federal Government and the Province of British Columbia on their recent $1.2 billion bilateral agreement, aimed at significantly [...]
People With Mental Illness Continue to Face Barriers to Accessing Care and Treatment.
The Canadian healthcare system is facing significant challenges in providing access to support and resources for individuals with mental illness. Despite the existence of publicly funded healthcare services, people with mental illness continue to face [...]
Federal Government Must Think Big, Aim High and Act Boldly by Investing in Mental Health Innovation and the Economy
In today’s digitally interconnected world, we must look to new innovations to address some of the greatest challenges of our time such as mental illness. As a strong partner at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, Canada is well-positioned to lead in the global fight against mental illness. It’s why the government must move its bold innovation agenda from words to action, says APEC Digital Hub at UBC chief financial officer Phil Upshall. He called on the federal government to invest $5 million into mental health innovation in order to improve economic growth in Canada today.
Canada selected to host “APEC Digital Hub for Best and Innovative Practices in Mental Health Partnerships”
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum has chosen Canada to become a global centre of excellence in mental healthcare, hosting a new international “Digital Hub” to coordinate and promote advanced research from some of the world’s leading universities and health institutes involved in the diagnosis, treatment and public awareness of mental disorders.
MDSC & MHCC Suicide Prevention and PTSD Treatment Plan
Pre-Budget Feb 16, 2016 (PDF), Complementary PTSD Support (PDF)
MDSC. Presentation: Collaborative Approaches to Mental Health Care
Mar 13, 2012 (PDF)
MDSC. Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind: Report to Government of Canada
Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) issued a comprehensive new Report to the Government of Canada on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Mar. 2, 2012 (PDF), Report (PDF), Background (PDF), More details
MDSC. Pan-Canadian Survey on Mental Health Services
In September, Mood Disorders Society of Canada surveyed Canadians on their views of mental health services and supports in Canada. The results were analyzed and the report is now available.
November 2011 (PDF), Report (PDF), More details
MDSC. Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind: Event Brief
Mood Disorders Society of Canada hosted a working dinner to discuss Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on Oct 26th at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.
Mood Disorders Society of Canada encourages Provincial Health Ministers to Prioritize Mental Health
MDSC sends a letter to all provincial and territorial Health Ministers, urging them to bring mental illness to the forefront as they work towards the 2014 health care accord.
November 14, 2011 (PDF), Letter (PDF)
“How do you feel?” Building Economic Resilience by Beating Canada’s Depression Epidemic
Submission by Phil Upshall, National Executive Director Mood Disorders Society of Canada and Dr. Zul Merali, President & CEO, University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research; Director of Research, the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance.
August 12, 2011 (PDF)
Mood Disorders Society of Canada Submission to The Standing Committee on Finance Pre-Budget Consultation
August 12, 2011 (PDF)
Mood Disorders Society of Canada Calls for Improved Access to Mental Health Medications
November 4, 2010 (PDF)
Mood Disorders Society of Canada Comments on a New National Survey on Depression
Sept 28, 2010 (PDF)
MDSC: House of Common’s Standing Committee on Finance Recommendations to the Minister of Finance for the 2008 Federal Budget
February 2008 (PDF)
MDSC: Pre-Budget Brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance
August 2007 (PDF)
Federal Budget Reduces Stigma of Mental Illness
March 19, 2007 (PDF), French (PDF)
The Common Drug Review – Access to Medications
MDSC appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health during its hearings on the Common Drug Review. MDSC brief includes comments on the need for access to medications for Canadians with mental illnesses and comments regarding the lack of timeliness, transparency and patient/consumer engagement in the drug approval process.
- Mood Disorders Society of Canada Brief (PDF)
- The Standing Committee on Health deliberations on the CDR (PDF) (French PDF)
- The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health and the CDR
Brief to the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
May 12, 2004 (PDF)
Mood Disorders & Problem Gambling Research Plenary Session
October 26, 2004 (PDF)
More Money for Health Care Isn’t a Panacea
September 14, 2004 (PDF)
A Blueprint For National Action On Mood Disorders In Canada.
August 2004 Following two years of extensive consultation and focused planning, MDSC developed a comprehensive planning framework in July 2003 to address major issues affecting consumers and their families in Canada. In order to incorporate these objectives within a national planning framework from a consumer and family perspective, the MDSC requested and received funding through the Social Development Partnership Program of the Office for Disability Issues of Social Development Canada to develop the Blueprint for National Action on Mood Disorders. The intent of the Blueprint is to formulate a national action plan that will achieve the eight overarching long-term objectives articulated in the report.
