Media Releases

CMHA welcomes the decriminalization of small amounts of certain illicit substances for personal use in British Columbia, calls for more action

June 2, 2022 – The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) BC Division and National offices welcome the decision from the federal government to grant a request from the Province of British Columbia to provide an exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that will, beginning January 31, 2023, decriminalize personal possession of small amounts […]Continue readingCMHA welcomes the decriminalization of small amounts of certain illicit substances for personal use in British Columbia, calls for more action

CMHA BC launches new substance use campaign by youth, for youth

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$10,000 being donated to three non-profits as part of campaign co-created by youth March 3, 2022 – A new campaign will see a total of up to $10,000 donated to three non-profit organizations as part of a project to increase understanding and awareness of youth substance use in the midst of BC’s toxic drug crisis. […]Continue readingCMHA BC launches new substance use campaign by youth, for youth

Most British Columbians worry COVID will never go away

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New research shows chronic stress taking toll on individuals and organizations (March 1, 2022) – Far from feeling the pandemic is over, most people in British Columbia are stressed about what’s next, with 65% worried about new variants and 64% worried about COVID-19 circulating in the population for years to come. Two years of pandemic-related […]Continue readingMost British Columbians worry COVID will never go away

BC Budget 2022: New mental health and addiction spending

VICTORIA, BC – (February 22, 2022): Today’s Provincial Budget announcement of new mental health and addictions spending gets us closer to the $2 billion of net new resources over four years that Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division (CMHA BC) called for when this government took power. The $164 million allocated for “complex care housing” […]Continue readingBC Budget 2022: New mental health and addiction spending

Awards for excellence in mental health reporting are now accepting entries

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January 10, 2022 – Entries are now open for two Mindset and two En-Tête awards for excellence in mental health reporting in Canada during 2021. Four main prizes of $1,000 are available across the parallel English and French competitions, with juries empowered to add subsidiary ones. The categories in both languages are workplace mental health […]Continue readingAwards for excellence in mental health reporting are now accepting entries

Feeling like more than your farm is under water?

AgSafe and CMHA BC team up for mental health awareness for agriculture sector December 16, 2021 – After recent floods on the heels of wildfires, a heat dome, and an ongoing pandemic, many in the agricultural community face a host of challenges—including taking care of their mental health, as they contemplate next steps. AgSafe and […]Continue readingFeeling like more than your farm is under water?

Are We Done Yet? Five mental health tips for challenging times

December 7, 2021 – The months leading up to the end of the year can be not so jolly for many British Columbians—especially as we continue to navigate new ways of gathering and celebrating. It’s a time of year that often puts extra pressure on us, and can affect our mental health. This year is […]Continue readingAre We Done Yet? Five mental health tips for challenging times

Providing a continuum of care for British Columbians’ mental health

99.5% of calls to BC crisis lines are safely de-escalated by volunteers December 7, 2021 – As the end of the year approaches, do you find yourself feeling grief, stress, sadness or anxiety? Are you struggling to cope with overwhelming emotions? If so, you’re not alone. The events of the past year—flooding, wildfires, extreme heat, […]Continue readingProviding a continuum of care for British Columbians’ mental health

CMHA Kamloops Branch board appoints Alfred Achoba as Executive Director

November 3, 2021 – The board of directors of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kamloops has permanently appointed Alfred Achoba to the position of Executive Director. Achoba had been Interim Executive Director since 2020. “We are pleased Alfred has accepted this role on a permanent basis,” says Greg Thomson, President CMHA Kamloops Board of […]Continue readingCMHA Kamloops Branch board appoints Alfred Achoba as Executive Director

CMHA BC Division CEO Statement on World Suicide Prevention Day

Today, on World Suicide Prevention Day, Jonny Morris, CEO of CMHA BC Division shares the following: Today is an opportunity to come together, remember, reflect, raise awareness, reduce stigma, share stories of hope, and strengthen our commitment to do whatever we can to support people contemplating suicide to have more liveable lives. Today, I remember […]Continue readingCMHA BC Division CEO Statement on World Suicide Prevention Day