Via Rail has a policy on travelling with a support person, and not having to buy a ticket for the support person, which they call their “Escort Policy”. The current policy requires passengers who travel and request to have a support person travel with them free of the extra charge demonstrate that they need assistance […]Continue readingVIA Rail revising policy on Support Persons for Travelers with Disabilities
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CPA speaks out on “Not Criminally Responsible Reform Act”
On April 18, 2013 the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA), in consultation with members of the Canadian Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, issued an Information Release on the “Not Criminally Responsible Reform Act.” In their release, the CPA takes the position that the, “…not criminally responsible (NCR) provisions of the criminal code are functioning well […]Continue readingCPA speaks out on “Not Criminally Responsible Reform Act”
Evidence in Action: Research helps prevent homelessness
When a person with “no fixed address” is being released from hospital, unit staff typically do their best to find that person a place to go. But it can take weeks to locate housing and receive rent money from social assistance programmes, and many of these individuals end up having to go to a shelter […]Continue readingEvidence in Action: Research helps prevent homelessness
Research Report Round-up: How do family health teams provide mental health services in northern communities?
This report addresses the findings of the Family Health Team (FHT) Survey conducted by the Ontario Psychiatric Outreach Program and the Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research at Laurentian University. This survey was part of a research project intended to better understand how mental health services are being integrated within FHTs in smaller communities […]Continue readingResearch Report Round-up: How do family health teams provide mental health services in northern communities?
Research Snapshot: Are the needs of people with co-occurring disorders being met?
A co-occurring disorder (CD) is diagnosed when someone has both substance use and mental health problems. A person with CD often faces more complex challenges in getting access to mental health services. Ontario researchers examined people with and without CD to find out if there are differences between these groups, and the type and amount […]Continue readingResearch Snapshot: Are the needs of people with co-occurring disorders being met?
Speak Up – take the Enabling Minds survey!
Are you an individual with lived experience of mental illness? A caregiver, friend or family member of someone experiencing mental illness? The Enabling Minds project is working towards reducing barriers for people with mental health-related disabilities, so they can participate in physical activity programs offered by recreation and fitness organizations. Towards that goal, Enabling Minds has […]Continue readingSpeak Up – take the Enabling Minds survey!
Federal Budget 2013 announces funding for affordable housing
The Canadian Federal Budget 2013 has announced an investment of $119 million per year over five years, nearly $600 million in total, to the Homelessness Partnering Strategy using a “Housing First” approach. This funding continues the federal government’s 2008 commitment to housing the homeless when it allocated $110 million to the Mental Health Commission of […]Continue readingFederal Budget 2013 announces funding for affordable housing
Canadian Diabetes Association releases 2013 Clinical Practice Guidelines
The Canadian Diabetes Association released its 2013 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada (the Guidelines) that aim to improve prevention strategies and the quality of care for those living with the disease. There are specific guidelines pertaining to mental health and diabetes. Key messages from the Guidelines are excerpted below: Psychiatric […]Continue readingCanadian Diabetes Association releases 2013 Clinical Practice Guidelines
Pan-Canadian Prescription Drug Strategy released
The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA), in partnership with the National Advisory Council (NAC) on Prescription Drug Misuse, released a 10-year, pan-Canadian strategy, “First Do No Harm: Responding to Canada’s Prescription Drug Crisis.” “First Do No Harm: Responding to Canada’s Prescription Drug Crisis” is a national strategy that addresses prescription drugs that have legal status […]Continue readingPan-Canadian Prescription Drug Strategy released
Research Report Round-up: Implementing a woman abuse screening protocol
There is more and more research that shows links between substance use issues and mental health. There also is some evidence to show that trauma is somehow linked to mental health and substance abuse problems. The Women’s Mental Health and Addictions Action Research Coalition have produced a manual to help agencies and substance use workers better […]Continue readingResearch Report Round-up: Implementing a woman abuse screening protocol