The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is the largest mental health and addiction organization in Canada and is a teaching hospital fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. There are central clinical and research facilities in Toronto and 26 locations throughout the province that provide communities with information that will help identify and find community CAMH services, offer support in policy development, systems planning, evaluation, community training, research, program development, health promotion and prevention.In recognition of the outstanding work that CAMH does, our organization has been designated as a Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization Collaborating Centre. 

Through accessible treatment, community services, research, education and prevention, CAMH works to improve the quality of life for people who are struggling with mental illness or addiction and to support their families and friends.

Care

“One of the things about working with people who suffer from mental illness or people who struggle with addictions is that, to the public, this may seem like a discouraging environment – a place that’s not filled with hope. But for those of us who work clinically, just the opposite is true. I find a great deal of professional fulfillment in this environment because many, many people get better.” - Dr. David Goldbloom, Physician at CAMH

At CAMH, we have created a continuum of clinical programs, support and rehabilitation services to meet the diverse needs of people who are at risk and at different stages of their lives and illnesses. Our services include assessment, brief early interventions, inpatient programs, continuing care and family support.

Our client-centred philosophy of care recognizes that the client has individual, social, physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological needs. Wherever possible, the care provided incorporates the preferences, needs, aspirations and cultural beliefs of each individual.

Prevention and Health Promotion

“Health promotion is a comprehensive approach that enables individuals, families and communities to take control over and improve their mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health. Vital components of an effective health promotion approach include improving the determinants of health (e.g., housing, employment, income, social supports), developing healthy public policies, and implementing programs to decrease the factors that put us at risk for substance use problems or mental illness and to increase factors that protect us from harm.” - Peter Coleridge, Vice-President of Communications, Education and Community Health

CAMH is committed to working with communities throughout Ontario to create environments that support health and prevent illness.Through our network of community offices, we work with community partners across the province to enhance the capacity and quality of services and systems to prevent and reduce harm associated with addiction and mental health problems, with particular focus on three priority areas – youth, concurrent disorders and diverse populations. CAMH provides expertise, resource, knowledge and skills in the areas of addictions, mental health, policy development, systems planning, evaluation, consultation, community training, research, program development, health promotion and prevention programs, and advocacy.  

Better Understanding

“Only through education can we hope to improve the understanding of mental health and addiction problems and, thus, foster support for people who struggle with these challenges.” - Dr. Paul Garfinkel, President and CEO at CAMH

One of CAMH’s goals is to be a leader in creating, applying and disseminating knowledge.  Each year, CAMH receives many research grants, fellowships and awards, resulting in the publication of hundreds of scientific articles and studies. Our research guides our public policy priorities and is transformed into practical resource materials and training programs, which inform the practice of professionals and help educate the general public. Advancing our understanding of mental illness and addiction is key to future improvements in prevention and clinical care. Working with communities throughout Ontario, we aim to foster understanding and reduce the stigma associated with these illnesses.

For more information about CAMH, refer to CAMH’s Corporate Brochure and the Guide to CAMH.

In Key CAMH Facts for Media:

• Mental Health and Addiction Statistics
• Quick Information about CAMH

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Content updated: June 06, 2006 11:50 AM

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