CMHA Ontario recognizes that equity issues in mental health have a significant and often negative impact on the people, communities and health system of Ontario. To help, CMHA Ontario is pleased to launch the HEIA Mental Health and Addictions Tip Sheet, which focuses specifically on how the Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) tool can be applied to consider equity issues related to serving clients with mental health and addiction issues. Developed by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term care, the (HEIA) tool is a decision support tool that enables users to consider how a program, policy or other initiative will positively or negatively impact on different population groups.
CMHA Ontario has been actively involved in addressing equity in the mental health and addictions sector, producing resources such as the Advancing Equity in Mental Health in Ontario framework, which aims to increase understanding and dialogue within Ontario’s health system by creating a common language for talking about equity issues in mental health. A webinar series on refugee mental health is also available to be viewed online anytime on the CMHA Ontario website.