International human rights agreements and health research demonstrate that all people need a solid foundation of basic necessities such as income, housing, food and meaningful employment to enjoy mental wellness. Without this, people experience social exclusion and lose their sense of belonging, which can make them mentally ill, worsen their illness or prevent them from recovering.
BC public services that support this foundation need to be accessible, foster social connection, and provide necessary accommodations to meet the needs of people living with mental health and substance use-related disabilities in order to fulfil the rights of British Columbians to their best mental health.
In this report, CMHA BC makes 12 recommendations to the BC Government to build on the progress made by recent poverty reduction initiatives and ensure public services are equitable and accessible for all British Columbians who need them.
- Check out the brief Executive Summary: Building an Equitable Foundation
- Read the full report Building an Equitable Foundation: Removing barriers to access for people with mental health and substance-use related disabilities
- For background information, see Social Inclusion: The key determinant of mental wellness (Literature Review)