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Everyone needs care. Only some of us will get it.

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We all have the right to mental health care that is publicly funded and free

Yet millions of Canadians are struggling and only some will get the care they need. The Act for Mental Health campaign is supported by a network of Canadian organizations pressing our leaders for Universal Mental Health Care. It’s not just the right thing to do, research shows it’s the smart thing to do, and we can’t afford not to.

Why funding mental health care is the right thing to do

When we stop and think about it, our health care isn’t universal at all, especially when it comes to mental health and substance use health. This care should be free and available to everyone.

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Why funding mental health care is the smart thing to do

Canada’s “universal” free, public health care system doesn’t cover supports like therapy, counselling, peer support, and substance use treatments. Yet we know that these kinds of care are effective.

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Why we can’t afford not to fund mental health care

The cost to society is just too great. Poor mental health costs Canada at least $50 billion per year in direct health care costs, lost productivity and decreased quality of life. Substance use costs the Canadian economy an additional $46 billion a year in direct healthcare costs, lost productivity and criminal justice costs.

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TAKE ACTION

If you agree mental health care should be truly universal and publicly funded, sign a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau telling him it’s time to Act for Mental Health.

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About the campaign

Act for Mental Health is an advocacy campaign led by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) that rallies Canadians to press our leaders for universal mental health care. A growing number of Canadian organizations stand together in asking for the same thing: to make mental health and substance use health care available to everyone under public health insurance. For people in Canada, Act for Mental Health is a chance to stand up, be counted, and use our voices to press our leaders for universal mental health care. Care that serves and supports every single one of us. Care that enables us all to thrive. Act for Mental Health is a campaign, a rallying cry, a movement for mental health care that is truly universal. Take action.

Thanks to our supporting partners

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Dive Deeper

A Federal Plan for Universal Mental Health and Substance Use Health

We all have the right to mental health care and substance use health care that is publicly funded and free to everyone when they need it. The federal government must demonstrate strong leadership and take action.

Act for Mental Health calls on the federal government to:
  1. Create a permanent Canada Mental Health and Substance Use Health Transfer.
  2. Create a Canada Universal Mental Health and Substance Use Health Act.
  3. Work to create the social and economic conditions that contribute to good mental health.
  4. Fully decriminalize simple possession of illicit substances and increase investments in substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery services.

Read the full policy paper to find out why universal mental health care is the right thing to do, the smart thing to do, and why we can’t afford not to.

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