We would like to first acknowledge that the land on which we learn is the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) People. We also acknowledge that colonialism has created worse mental health outcomes for Indigenous peoples in Canada, and they continue to experience systemic inequality and racism in the mental health care system. We encourage you to learn more about the land that you live on at https://native-land.ca/.
Mental health continues to be a pressing public policy issue. There are challenges with access to care, funding disparities, and an increasing pressure on the system due to rising rates of mental illnesses. This website will provide an overview of the mental health policy landscape in Canada. It will explore the impact of initiatives at the federal, provincial, and political party levels.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as:
"A state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.”
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About Us: We are a group of political science students from the University of British Columbia committed to raising awareness about Canada’s history and current policies related to mental health. Our mission is to foster a healthier and more inclusive Canada by advocating for effective solutions to support those facing mental health challenges and working to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.
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Learn more about the definition of mental health, key statistics, a historical timeline of mental health in Canada, barriers to providing treatment, and the different types of mental illnesses.
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Learn more about the responsibilities of the federal government, federal legislation & funding on mental health, the Ministry of Health, and target groups of federal mental health policy.
Learn about the provincial governments and their respective mental health policies, as well as key statistics and expenditures.
The Provincial Responsibility on Mental Health Policy
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Learn about the mental health policies proposed by British Columbia's major political parties, explore the role of policy advocates in shaping these initiatives, and compare Canada's mental health strategies with others globally.