PUBLIC CONSULTATION - Mental Health Commission of Canada recommendations re: mental health system & racialized and immigrant groups

From: March 5, 2009 Mental Health Notes: Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario Newsletter

Mental Health Commission of Canada seeks feedback on strategies to improve mental health system for ethnoracial and immigrant groups

The MHCC Service System Advisory Committee is seeking feedback on their draft recommendations to improve the mental health system for ethnoracial and immigrant groups in Canada.

The committee has developed 19 recommendations seeking to improve mental health service delivery at the provider and system levels. Recommendations are grouped under four key themes: better coordination with health-related services provided by other sectors; more available information about the needs and use of mental health services by ethnoracial groups in Canada; community engagement to strengthen the voice of ethnoracial service users and providers; and development of more appropriate and culturally safe services.

The purpose of the consultation is to ensure that the proposed recommendations are appropriate to improve the mental health of and mental health services for people from ethnoracial, ethnocultural, immigrant and refugee groups in Canada. Culturally safe services that respond to the diverse needs of Canadians are recognized as fundamental building blocks in an equitable and socially just mental health system.

The consultation paper describes the challenges of improving mental health services for ethnoracial groups and highlights research findings from over 50 national and regional studies addressing the mental health of diversity groups in Canada. Ethnoracial and immigrant and refugee groups face increased rates of mental health problems; barriers to mental health care due to language, discrimination or lack of cultural awareness; and reduced access to the social determinants of mental health.

Feedback on the draft recommendations can be submitted online until April 1, 2009. The Service System Advisory Committee is also holding regional consultations across Canada. The committee is also interested in learning about current promising/best practices in providing services for immigrants, refugees and racialized communities. Consultation findings will be considered in the development of a final report to the MHCC.

The draft report, "Understanding the Issues, Best Practice and Options for Service Development to Meet the Needs of Ethno-Cultural Groups, Immigrants, Refugees, and Racialized Groups," is available in English and in French at www.camh.net , along with the link to the e-consultation form.

For more information on the Mental Health Commission of Canada's consultation on the goals for the National Mental Health Strategy, see "Mental Health Commission Seeks Feedback on Draft Mental Health Strategy" (Mental Health Notes, February 19, 2009), available at: www.ontario.cmha.ca/mhn .