National Reports & Initiatives:

• A Conference Board of Canada report, Building Mentally Healthy Workplaces, was released by the on Monday (June 20, 2011) based on a national survey of more than 1,000 employees — including almost 500 front-line managers.   Click here to access a news article on the report from the CBC website. Click here to access an audio interview with David Newman, a CMHA Winnipeg Region board member commenting on the report.  To access the CMHA Winnipeg Region press release on this report, click here.

• People with Mental Illness Cannot Be Forgotten.  In recognition of both Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 3-9) and World Mental Health Day (October 10), the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) applauds the efforts of the many mental health advocacy organizations that work continuously towards preventing mental illness and promoting the mental well-being of all Canadians.  Click here to access the full CASW press release.

• Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)  The RDSP helps Canadians with disabilities and their families save for the future. If you are a Canadian resident under age 60 and are eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, you are eligible for an RDSP. Earnings accumulate tax-free, until you take money out of your RDSP. With written permission from the holder, anyone can contribute to the RDSP. For more information on the RDSP, click here.

• Guarding Minds @ Work:  A Workplace Guide to Psychological Safety & Health.  Click here to visit the Guarding Minds @ Work website.

• A new report from the Canadian Population Health Initiative called Exploring Positive Mental Health:  Improving the Health of Canadians has recently been released.  To access a brief summary of the report, click here.  To access the full report, click here.

• In a press release on August 18, 2009, the Government of Canada announced its support for a national project that will help prevent youth across the country from taking illicit drugs: Government of Canada Works with Provinces and Communities to Help Prevent Young People from Taking Illicit Drugs – English announcement – French announcement. The Schizophrenia Society of Canada and its partners will develop, implement and promote activities aimed at preventing drug use among youth through its project Understanding the Link between Cannabis Use and Early Psychosis: an Awareness Strategy for Youth at Risk. For more information on the press release event, view these documents: Remarks by Chris Summerville, CEO, Schizophrenia Society of Canada, and the Background information for the project.

• The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has recently released a new publication called “Promoting Recovery from First Episode Psychosis A Guide for Families.”

• Alberta Mental Health Board - Mental Health Economic Statistics 2007.  Click here to access the booklet.

• Get Real NationWide Youth Participants continue to make a difference! MuchTalks of MuchMusic, in partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada has released a series of PSAs placing the spotlight on youth mental health. In an effort to ‘get it right’ MuchMusic reached out to mindyourmind, the New Mentality and other community stakeholders to help create these video segments and shape the message. We are delighted that youth participants at The New Mentality and mindyourmind were able contribute and share their stories. Their voices will surely resonate with youth all across the country.  Click here for more information or visit mindyourmind.ca.

• CAMH:  A Family Guide to Concurrent Disorders.  2007
• Canadian Psychiatric Association & Schizophrenia Society of Canada:  Schizophrenia - The Journey to Recovery  A Consumer and Family Guide to Assessment and Treatment.  2007

• A report from the Public Health Agency of Canada provides updated data and information on mental health and mental illness among Canadians. Developed in collaboration with the Mood Disorders Society of Canada, Health Canada, Statistics Canada, and the Canadian Institute for Health Information, "The Human Face of Mental Health and Illness in Canada" is endorsed by the Canadian Mental Health Association.

• In 1997, a Federal/Provincial/Territorial Advisory Network on Mental Health published a Best Practices in Mental Health Reform - Discussion Paper, a project designed to determine "... best practices in mental health policy and programs with respect to developing effective services and supports, components of a comprehensive community support system, and strategies to create the necessary conditions and incentives to foster their widespread implementation."