Canadian Mental Health Association Vancouver/Burnaby

Description

response to the crisis of mental illness in our community is uniquely wideranging from prevention education and information services right through to rehabilitation and community support to those recovering from illness We have a track record of developing many of the most innovative and effective new approaches available in the community today

Through our varied services we address key challenges surrounding mental illness

Our Branch of CMHA is part of a nationwide movement that has national provincial and local offices However the VancouverBurnaby Branch established in 1959 is an independent society and registered charity with our own Board of Directors We subscribe to the national CMHA mission and vision statements but have our own set of locally identified values

Mission Statement
The Canadian Mental Health Association a nationwide voluntary organization promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness CMHA accomplishes this mission through advocacy education research and service

Vision Statement
Mentally healthy people in a healthy society

Values
Collaborative
Supporting recovery from mental illness and the attainment of positive mental health as unique personal journeys Working together with others in the community to resolve complex challenges and provide continuity of service
Valuing the personal experience of those directly and indirectly impacted by mental illness

Resourceful
Stewarding our resources in an efficient manner Innovative in finding solutions to challenges

Accessible
Minimizing barriers to accessing our services Reflecting the diversity of the community in which we work

Accountable
Reporting the outcome and value of our work to our stakeholders and the community Transparent and open in our workings and decisionmaking

Effective
Committing to excellence in our services and management practices Promoting learning and leadership throughout the organization

Caring
Creating a respectful environment for service users staff and volunteers
Socially and environmentally responsible

History

The Canadian Mental Health Association is one of the oldest national charitable organizations in Canada and the oldest national mental health charity Each year CMHA divisions and branches across Canada provide service to more than 100000 Canadians through the combined efforts of more than 10000 volunteers and staff in locally run organizations in more than 135 communities Visit CMHA Nationals website for more information

CMHA was founded in 1918 by Dr Clarence M Hincks Dr Charles K Clarke and Clifford W Beers as the Canadian National Committee for Mental Hygiene The original goals of the organization centred around war recruits mental examination of postwar immigrants prevention and support for adequate facilities and care for the treatment of mental illness

Dr Hincks became director of the association in 1924 He developed an interest in patients whose work and productive lives were hampered by what was then seen as malfunctions of the mind He suffered from periodic bouts of depression all his life so his empathy toward his fellow sufferers coupled with a profound knowledge of medicine and early twentiethcentury psychological developments in Europe revolutionized the conditions and treatment of mental health patients in Canada

CMHA is uniquely positioned in Canada as a charity that brings together communitybased experience and expertise on the prevention of mental illness and community supports for the mental wellbeing of all Canadians We are not only unique in our mental health promotion approach but also in our ability to speak to issues spanning the broad range of mental disorders and the full spectrum of those affected from those at risk to those newly diagnosed to those who have been living with a psychiatric disability over the longerterm as well as family friends and community gatekeepers

1959 marks the year the Vancouver Burnaby branch was born CMHA VB has remained an independent society and registered charity for over 50 years and will continue to service the community through its services standing by the mission statement and values of the branch