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Federal Directions for Mental Health Reform

Senate Committee Final Report: "Out of the Shadows at Last"

In 2006, the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (Kirby Committee) released the final report of its three-year study of mental health, mental illness and addictions in Canada, "Out of the Shadows at Last: Transforming Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction Services in Canada."

Two key recommendations were the development of a Mental Health Transition Fund and a Canadian Mental Health Commission. A federal government initiative, the transition fund would be in place for 10 years and would finance the transition from an institution-based system to a community-based mental health system. Two main components of the transition fund would be a Mental Health Housing Initiative and a Basket of Community Services. The housing initiative would involve both new affordable housing units and rent supplements for people with mental illness. The basket of services component would provide funding to provincial/territorial governments to add to the range of services and supports in the community for people with mental illness.

Among its 118 recommendations, the report called for the creation of a national mental health strategy and a national anti-discrimination strategy and the development of a Knowledge Exchange Centre, all under the leadership of a new Canadian Mental Health Commission.

Other recommendations cover a broad range of issues, including self-help and peer support, research, telemental health, addictions, employment and the workplace. The commission also looked at the needs of specific populations: children and youth, seniors, and populations for which the federal government is responsible (such as First Nations and the military).

• Out of the Shadows at Last: Transforming Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction Services in Canada (HTML | PDF: Part 1, Part 2)

A Mental Health Commission for Canada

In 2008, the federal government provided funding for an independent mental health commission with a mandate to develop a national mental health strategy, a 10-year anti-stigma strategy and a knowledge exchange centre. The Mental Health Commission of Canada is also conducting housing research and many other projects through its advisory committees. The commission is chaired by Michael Kirby, who chaired the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.

Mental Health Commission of Canada website: www.mentalhealthcommission.ca