The Wellesley Institute is looking for focus group participants to share feedback on a new mental health tool developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The “Rapid Mental Health Impact Assessment” tool enables users to consider the impacts of a policy or program on the mental health of at risk populations. The tool is intended for use by people working in government, service provider organizations and community-based organizations. Its objective is to help inform decision-making to promote good mental health for all Canadians.
Policymakers, researchers and service providers have become increasingly aware of how socio-economic determinants of health cause disparities that affect overall population health outcomes, including in the area of mental health. This concern has led to the development of research and evaluation tools to inform changes in policy and practice. Health impact assessment (HIA) tools use a systematic, structured approach to help policy developers and decision-makers understand the ways in which peoples’ health may be affected by policies, programs, projects or strategies and their use have been growing in Canada and internationally over the last decade.
A focus group will be held in Toronto on February 28. Interested participants may register for the session online at www.eventbrite.com or contact Bob Gardner for more information atbob@wellesleyinstitute.com.