{"id":19588,"date":"2009-11-02T13:15:00","date_gmt":"2009-11-02T18:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mentalhealthcommission.ca\/?post_type=resource&p=19588"},"modified":"2026-03-23T10:09:56","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T14:09:56","slug":"toward-recovery-and-well-being","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/mentalhealthcommission.ca\/resource\/toward-recovery-and-well-being\/","title":{"rendered":"Toward Recovery and Well-Being"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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A Framework for a Mental Health Strategy for Canada<\/h2>

Note: This<\/i> resource<\/i> was published in<\/i> 2009. <\/i><\/span><\/em>The data may be out of date.<\/i><\/span> <\/em><\/p>

This framework provided a structure for <\/em>Changing Directions, Changing Lives: The Mental Health Strategy for Canada<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>

Mental Health and Mental Illness<\/h3>
  • Mental health is more than the absence of mental illness.<\/li>
  • People can have varying degrees of mental health, whether or not they have a mental illness.<\/li>
  • Mental health problems and illnesses are believed to result from a complex interaction among social, economic, psychological and biological or genetic factors.<\/li>
  • Mental health contributes to our enjoyment of life, to physical health, as well as to our ability to achieve our goals at work, at school and in our relationships.<\/li>
  • Having good mental health helps to reduce stress, prevent mental health problems and illnesses, and foster recovery.<\/li>
  • Each year, about 1 in every 5 Canadians will experience a diagnosable mental health problem or illness.<\/li><\/ul>

    Achieving the Best Possible Mental Health and Well-Being for Everyone<\/h3>
    • When it comes to mental health and well-being we are all the same \u2013 there is no us and them.<\/li>
    • Our vision is that: All people in Canada have the opportunity to achieve the best possible mental health and well-being.<\/li>
    • The mental health system must be centred on meeting people\u2019s needs across the lifespan.<\/li>
    • The system must also be comprehensive \u2013 promoting mental health for people of all ages, supporting those at risk, intervening early, and assisting people to recover.<\/li>
    • People living with mental health problems and illnesses must be able to participate actively in all aspects of the mental health system.<\/li><\/ul>

      The Contributions and Needs of First Nations, Inuit and M\u00e9tis<\/h3>
      • A mental health strategy for Canada must acknowledge the unique circumstances, rights, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and M\u00e9tis in Canada and respond to their needs.<\/li>
      • An indigenous, holistic understanding of wellness \u2013 rooted in culture, the land, family, community and self-determination \u2013 can help to transform the mental health system.<\/li>
      • Despite the devastating impact of colonization and policies such as residential schools, indigenous peoples are developing innovative approaches to healing, such as cultural safety.<\/li><\/ul>

        Goals for a Mental Health Strategy<\/h3>
        • A mental health strategy must be flexible enough to respond to the many and diverse needs of people across the country if it is to be implemented.<\/li>
        • The 7 goals in this framework are interconnected and provide the structure for a strategy that will help guide the transformation of the mental health system.<\/li>
        • With support and input from people across the country, it will be possible to progress toward achieving all the goals and create a system that supports all people in Canada as they journey toward recovery and well-being.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          A Framework for a Mental Health Strategy for Canada Note: This resource was published in 2009. The data may be out of date. This framework provided a structure for Changing Directions, Changing Lives: The Mental Health Strategy for Canada. Mental Health and Mental Illness Mental health is more than the absence of mental illness. People…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":55753,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[906,897,188],"tags":[],"program":[],"program-area":[131,132,410,136,157,167,472,130,678,165,127,57,125],"audience":[123,500,124],"covid-hub-category":[],"health-canada":[],"class_list":["post-19588","resource","type-resource","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-archive-2","category-archive","category-reports","program-area-caregivers","program-area-children-and-youth","program-area-diversity","program-area-first-nations-inuit-and-metis","program-area-health-care","program-area-homelessness","program-area-lived-experience","program-area-mental-health-and-criminal-justice","program-area-mental-health-strategy-for-canada","program-area-older-adults","program-area-peer-support","program-area-policy-research","program-area-workplace-mental-health","audience-for-employers-and-employees","audience-for-health-care-workers","audience-policy-research"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nToward Recovery and Well-Being - Mental Health Commission of Canada<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A Framework for a Mental Health Strategy for CanadaNote: This resource was published in 2009. 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