Health ministers from the provinces and territories met in Halifax recently to discuss the 2014 Health Accord. These preliminary meetings were aimed at striking a new health deal between Ottawa and the provinces, with an expected focus on the pressures of managing aging populations, obesity and chronic disease. Meetings are anticipated to continue in January […]Continue readingMeetings have started for Health Accord
News and Events
Nominations for CCHL Quality of Life Award
The Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) has opened nominations for the Quality of Life Award (QOLA) 2012. The QOLA is given to individuals or a team who, through their desire, dedication and creativity, improve the lives of their patients, families and communities. Nomination forms are in two sections. If you would like to nominate […]Continue readingNominations for CCHL Quality of Life Award
OPSEU urges Social Assistance Commission
The Ontario Public Service Employee Union (OPSEU) made a second submission to the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance, asking them to consider a number of additional recommendations on the basis that the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Ontario Works (OW) are governed by two different acts. As such, they have different mandates […]Continue readingOPSEU urges Social Assistance Commission
CIHI reports on health spending in Canada for 2011 and beyond
A new report titled, “National Health Expenditure Trends: 1975 to 2011” from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) predicts that total spending on health care in Canada is expected to increase by more than $7 billion in 2011 and will reach a forecast of $200.5 billion by 2007. This calculates to about $5,800 per […]Continue readingCIHI reports on health spending in Canada for 2011 and beyond
New resource on mental health, criminal offenses and deportation
The Schizophrenia Society of Ontario (SSO), in partnership with Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO), has produced a new resource titled, “Mental Illness, Criminal Offences & Deportation: Tips for front-line workers. This resource is intended for front-line workers and advocates who are working with individuals with mental health conditions who are not Canadian citizens and have […]Continue readingNew resource on mental health, criminal offenses and deportation
Thomson heirs donate $30 million to CAMH
The largest donation in the history of mental health research was announced on November 28, 2011. Roy Thomson granddaughters Linda Campbell, Gaye Farncombe, Susan Grange and families have announced that they are donating $30 million to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) over the next five years. As a result of their generosity, […]Continue readingThomson heirs donate $30 million to CAMH
Post-secondary school stress at dangerous levels
The Canadian Association of College and University Student Services released a report this summer revealing that student stress and mental illness are “off the charts”. This is not a recent development; in 2009 a survey of six Ontario post-secondary campuses found that 53 per cent of their students were overwhelmed by anxiety, 54 per cent […]Continue readingPost-secondary school stress at dangerous levels
PVRCanada certificate series now available
The certificate program in Psychiatric Vocational Rehabilitation (PVR) is now available in Canada and in module format. The PVRCanada certificate teaches people how to assist those diagnosed with a psychiatric condition to develop careers and educational opportunities. Developed for people who provide vocational support services for individuals with serious mental illness, the PVRCanada certificate will […]Continue readingPVRCanada certificate series now available
Canada releases low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines
The National Alcohol Strategy Advisory Committee (NASAC) released Canada’s “Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines” on November 25, 2011. The guidelines will help health professionals across the country give evidence-based, consistent advice on drinking and its impacts on their patients. According to a 2002 study conducted by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, alcohol-related problems cost our […]Continue readingCanada releases low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines
DSM-5 proposed disorders under scrutiny (USA)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), to be published in 2013, is receiving push back from some experts in the form of an open letter and on-line petition. The DSM is used extensively in the clinical field of mental health to diagnose and treat individuals identified with a recognized disorder. The fifth edition has received […]Continue readingDSM-5 proposed disorders under scrutiny (USA)