About Canadian Mental Health Association Vancouver/Burnaby
response to the crisis of mental illness in our community is uniquely wide-ranging, 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 nation-wide movement that has national, provincial, and local offices. However, the Vancouver-Burnaby 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 Of Canadian Mental Health Association Vancouver/Burnaby
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 100,000 Canadians through the combined efforts of more than 10,000 volunteers and staff in locally run organizations in more than 135 communities. Visit CMHA National's 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 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. 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 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 community-based experience and expertise on the prevention of mental illness and community supports for the mental well-being 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 longer-term, 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 it's services, standing by the mission statement and values of the branch.
