Review of Best Practices in Mental Health Reform

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PREFACE

The Best Practices in Mental Health Reform Project was developed and funded by the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Advisory Network on Mental Health (ANMH), which comprises government officials in Health Canada and in the provinces and territories. The ANMH provides an intergovernmental forum for national collaboration on identification, critical analysis and research on mental health issues. This project addresses one of the priority issues for the ANMH, namely, best practices in mental health policy and programs with respect to developing effective services and supports, components of a comprehensive community support system, and strategies to create the necessary conditions and incentives to foster their widespread implementation.

The Health Systems Research Unit of the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry was commissioned to undertake this body of work, which culminated in three deliverables: Best Practices in Mental Health Reform: Discussion Paper 1997, and two background papers Best Practices in Mental Health Reform: Situational Analysis, and the present document Review of Best Practices in Mental Health Reform. It should be noted that the views expressed in these publications are those of the authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of the ANMH.

This document should be of interest to a variety of stakeholders in the health/mental health field, including policy makers, administrators, care providers, professional associations, consumer and family organizations and researchers.

It is also important to note that although mental health reform has implications for those with less severe problems, and for special populations with unique mental health needs, including, among others, children, older adults, members of ethno-racial groups, this project focuses on chronic and severe mental disorders.

Valuable insights and suggestions were provided by consumer and family groups (Canadian Mental Health Association, Schizophrenia Society of Canada, the National Network for Mental Health and the Depression and Manic-Depression Association of Canada) as well as national professional associations (Canadian Psychiatric Association, Canadian Psychological Association and the Canadian Association of Social Workers). Their timely and constructive input is gratefully acknowledged.

The ANMH appreciated the expertise, professionalism, dedication and spirit of cooperation of the principal investigator, Dr. Paula Goring and her excellent team of co-investigators, without which this complex and challenging project would not have been successfully completed within the required time frames. These researchers are at the cutting edge of health services policy related research in the mental health field. The contribution of Health Canada staff, particularly Carol Silcoff and Carl Lakaski of the Health Promotion & Programs Branch, is also recognized.