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Policy & Research

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Through our unique mandate from the government of Canada, the MHCC supports federal, provincial-territorial governments, and organizations in developing and implementing sound public policy. Guided by The Mental Health Strategy for Canada and the MHCC’s most recent Strategic Plan, our current policy work focuses on substance use, suicide prevention, population-based initiatives, and engagement.  We invite you to explore over 15 years of policy research and recommendations, which can be searched by topic and population group 

Mental Health and the High Cost of Living: Policy Brief Highlights
The high cost of living in Canada has led to increased financial insecurity, pressures on food and housing affordability, and income inequality —which all significantly impact mental health and well-being.
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Mental Health and the High Cost of Living: Policy Brief
The high cost of living in Canada has led to increased financial insecurity, income inequality, and pressures on food and housing affordability — which all significantly impact mental health and well-being.
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High Cost of Living and Mental Health

This webinar offers insights on the mental health impacts of the high cost of living on diverse communities and explores the complex relationship between mental health and money, housing, food,…

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Toward Quality Mental Health Care: Dismantling Structural Stigma

Hear from health-care experts offering their insights on the stigma-free and inclusive dimension of the Quality Mental Health Care Framework, focusing on the crucial concept of structural stigma. Our expert…

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International Scan: Highlights: Mental Health and Substance Use Health Workforce Strategies

The mental health and substance use health (MHSUH) impacts of COVID-19 and the overdose crisis have increased the gap between what the population needs and what the service system can…

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Suicide Postvention Resources for Canadian Communities
Suicide Postvention Resources for Canadian Communities, based on our own environmental scan, summarizes over 35 different resources and includes related links and descriptions.
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Toward Substance Use Health and Mental Health Service Integration: Findings from a Scoping Review
Substance use health and mental health (SUHMH) are closely linked, with many people experiencing challenges relating to both at the same time. Polling by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) and the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) has found that COVID-19 had significant, persistent, and complex impacts on SUHMH. At the same time, the pandemic also accelerated the evolution of innovative health policy and technology.
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Roots of Hope Case Studies – Spotlight on Sooke-West Shore, British Columbia

THE SOOKE EARLY ADOPTER COMMUNITY The Sooke-West Shore region of Vancouver Island includes a collection of municipalities just outside Victoria. Being a bit more affordable than Victoria proper, it often…

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Cannabis Community Based Research – Spotlight Videos

In 2018, the federal government allocated $10 million over 5 years to help us assess the impact of the legalization and use of cannabis on mental health. 14 community-based research…

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