by Isabelle Del Rio, CAMIMH
On World Mental Health Day, Member of Parliament, Gord Johns (Courtenay‑Alberni) rose in the House of Commons and tabled Bill C‑414 An Act to Amend the Canada Health Act (mental, addictions and substance use health services). This signals a significant step in the modernization of the Canada Health Act, enacted in 1984. If passed, this Bill will provide the people of Canada access to a wider array of publicly funded supports for mental health and substance use health in their communities.
The amendment is welcomed by CAMIMH (Canadian Alliance on Mential Illness and Mental Health):
“CAMIMH would like to thank Member of Parliament Johns for his leadership in tabling this historic Bill,” said Florence Budden, CAMIMH Co‑Chair, “CAMIHM has insisted for several years that Canada create the legislative framework to fully integrate expanded access to publicly funded mental health and substance use health care services from coast‑to‑coast‑ to‑coast.”
“Mental health and substance use health is health and must be equally valued along with our physical health,” said Anthony Esposti, CAMIMH Co‑Chair. “We know that mental health and substance use health touches every Canadian, either themselves, loved ones or members of their community are seeking support and we call on each national political party to put all health care needs of the people of Canada first and support this crucial amendment to the Canada Health Act.
There can be no health without mental health and substance use health.
CAMIMH stands ready to work with all Parliamentarians to support the swift passage of Bill C‑414.
Established in 1998, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is a member‑driven alliance of 18 national mental health organizations comprised of healthcare providers and organizations representing persons with lived and living experience, their families and caregivers. CAMIMH’s mandate is to ensure that mental health and substance use health is placed on the national agenda so that the people of Canada receive timely and appropriate access to care and support. For more information on our work, please visit our website at www.CAMIMH.ca.
