Media Releases

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

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

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

August 16, 2021 — The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is calling for all federal parties to make mental health a top priority in this election campaign, and to seize a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make meaningful and lasting reforms to mental health care. CMHA is Canada’s most extensive community mental health organization. The pandemic has […]Continue readingFederal election a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix the mental health system, says CMHA

Aug. 11, 2021 –  The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is partnering with Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence and Trauma (the Forum) on a new pair of journalism awards for reporting on the mental health of young people. Starting in January, journalists working in English will be able to compete for the Mindset Award for […]Continue readingCMHA collaborates with the Canadian Journalism Forum on New Awards for Reporting About Mental Health of Young People

Toronto, ON June 21, 2021: The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is deeply troubled by the findings of the remains of 215 children in unmarked and undocumented graves at a residential school in Kamloops, BC. We extend our deepest condolences to those who are grieving and for whom this news reawakens or compounds pain and […]Continue readingCanadian Mental Health Association on Reconciliation and mental health

Funds to support innovative new approach to improving mental health in communities TORONTO, June 16, 2021 – The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) today welcomes a donation of more than $500,000 made by Shoppers Drug Mart Inc on behalf of the company and its Associate owners.  The donation will enhance and expand CMHA’s cross-Canada network […]Continue readingShoppers Drug Mart donates more than $500,000 to CMHA

CMHA and UBC release data on emotional impact of the pandemic for Mental Health Week The pandemic is taking an emotional toll on people in British Columbia, as 71% of adults report feeling so-called negative emotions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The five most common responses across British Columbia were ‘worried or anxious,’ […]Continue readingHow are we feeling? British Columbians are worried, bored, stressed, lonely but hopeful

Today’s Provincial budget announcement of $500M in new funding for expanded mental health and substance use services is critical to the delivery of programs and resources that support the mental health and well-being of British Columbians. The Province’s investments in social supports like income and disability assistance enhancements and increases to the Senior’s Supplement are […]Continue readingBudget 2021: BC government sets important precedent for mental health and substance use funding