The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is helping municipal candidates in October’s election learn more about mental health, addictions and homelessness challenges.
A new educational resource is now available online: cmhabriefingroom.ca
Along with wellness tips and practical information, officials say The Briefing Room will help municipal candidates understand how they can take action and where broader provincial and federal support is needed, recognizing that municipalities can’t address these challenges alone.
“Municipalities are dealing with the impacts of mental health and addiction every day, whether through homelessness and encampments, community safety concerns, supportive housing or pressure on local services,” says Camille Quenneville, CEO of CMHA Ontario. “With municipal elections approaching, the CMHA Briefing Room gives candidates access to credible, evidence-informed information as they develop their priorities and connect with residents across their communities.”
CMHA says The Briefing Room provides accessible information about:
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Mental health and addictions: What communities are experiencing and what the evidence tells us about effective responses
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Homelessness and housing: The relationship between housing, homelessness, mental health and addictions
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Community safety: How mental health and addictions intersect with community safety and what approaches are supported by evidence
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Solutions and policy: The role of community mental health and evidence-informed approaches on key policy issues
The association says municipalities, the province and the federal government – along with the mental health and addictions sector – bear responsibility, and effective responses require co-ordination, sustained investment and strong community-based services.
Municipal election day is Monday, Oct. 26.
