Published a series of new guidelines and resources to promote equitable access to quality care for all

September 26, 2024 | Ottawa, ON | Health Canada

Everyone living in Canada deserves a healthcare system that allows them to get the services they need, when and where they need them. The nature of mental health and substance use support services and their ease of access may vary across Canada, resulting in inconsistencies in quality and accessibility.

To address this challenge, Health Canada commissioned the Standards Council of Canada to coordinate the development of a set of guidelines and resources aimed at increasing understanding, consistency and integration among health care providers in the areas of mental health and substance use as a whole to strengthen the country.

These resources include:

• Guide to the topic Integrated Services for Young People (SIJ)
• Report on theIntegrating mental health and substance use health services into primary care
• Report on gaps and recommendations related to Digital SMSLCS applications
• Report on Integrated mental health and substance use health services for people with complex needs – with particular attention to early intervention for psychosis
• Publicly accessible guide document for systematization Substance use competencies for all prescribers
• Report gaps and opportunities for improvement Withdrawal management services to support substance use health care

This work can improve care for people across Canada by advocating evidence-based approaches to important mental health and substance use issues. It recognizes that health care is primarily the responsibility of the provinces and territories and provides mental health and substance use care providers with a set of principles, guidelines and best practices to draw upon, learn from and incorporate can put into practice.

Additionally, this work will help guide future federal efforts to support positive mental health and substance use care, reduce barriers to care, and address limited front-line workforce capacity.

Hundreds of Canadians have invested their energy and expertise in this initiative, including people with past and present experience, Indigenous peoples, clinical specialists, service providers, community organizations, family advocates and peers, academics and many more. Health Canada would like to thank everyone who participated in this important work, particularly the Committee Co-Chair, Ms^Me Carol Hopkins and Mr. Brian Rush for their leadership and wisdom in leading this process.