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

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Mental health care is basic care. It’s not a frill. It’s not an add-on. But Canadians can’t get it. 

Millions of Canadians are struggling and don’t know where to turn. Only some of us will get the care we need. That’s because it’s not available, or it isn’t covered by public health insurance. We need mental health care that is publicly funded and free. We need universal mental health care.

The Act for Mental Health campaign is supported by thousands of people from across the country and a network of Canadian organizations, all pressing our leaders to fund mental health care now.

It’s a crisis that we can’t ignore. 

One third of Canadians can’t get the mental health care they need. Mental health is like a broken bone. It won’t heal on its own.  

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The kids are not alright.

Children are anxious and depressed in numbers like we’ve never seen before.  And while they wait for mental health care, they’re just getting sicker.

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The future is frightening.

Young adults can’t get started and they’re staring down a scary future. Is it any wonder they are anxious?

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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

ACT FOR IMPACT

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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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