One of Canada’s Oldest Non-Profits
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is one of the oldest national, charitable organizations in Canada and the oldest national mental health charity. 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 post-war immigrants, prevention, and support for adequate facilities and care for the treatment of mental illness.
Dr. Hincks became director of the association in 1924. His personal experience with depression and empathy for others with mental illness, coupled with a profound knowledge of medicine and early twentieth-century 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 experience and expertise on community-based mental health promotion and support for people with mental illnesses. We are unique not only in our approach but also in our ability to speak to a broad range of issues surrounding mental health and mental illness.
CMHA North & West Vancouver
The North and West Vancouver Branch of CMHA has been providing services to the North Shore community since 1958 and we embrace people with mental health issues in all facets of our organization – as Board Directors, volunteers and employees. We dedicate ourselves to empowering, supporting and improving the quality of life of mental health consumers and increasing the overall wellness of the North Shore community.
Our organization takes a holistic perspective to providing programs and services and endeavours to place the person participating in services at the centre of all that we do. As per our guiding principles, we believe that all people are entitled to regular work, safe and affordable housing, education and a reasonable income.