Mental Health Promotion

Promoting Mental Health Means Promoting the Best of Ourselves

The Mental Health Promotion Unit (MHPU) was created in 1995 as the focal point of Health Canada's efforts to maintain and improve positive mental health and well-being for the Canadian population. In 2001, mental health service-related functions of the former Health Systems Division (HPCB) were incorporated into the Unit. These functions relate to information on mental disorders and collaborative work with the provinces on mental health service renewal. The new MHPU addresses mental health promotion from a population health perspective that takes into account the broad range of determinants of mental health.

The mandate of the restructured unit is to promote and support mental health and reduce the burden of mental health problems and disorders, by contributing to

• the development, synthesis, dissemination and application of knowledge;
• the development, implementation and evaluation of policies, programs and activities designed to promote mental health and address the needs of people with mental health problems or disorders.

The MHPU work, identified within the mandate, is carried out within the scope of Policy Analysis and Development, Research Knowledge and Development, Community Mobilization and Capacity Building, Networking With NGO's, Professional Associations, and International Organizations, as well as Activities in Mental Health Systems Reform.

In our fast-paced, technology-mediated world, we must constantly move and change with the times ... or be left behind. The Mental Health Promotion Unit recognizes the need for a strong online presence to announce ourselves to the world, share and exchange our ideas, create strong partnerships and harness the power of many minds.

Disclaimer: The MHPU website provides general information and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. If you feel you need advice, please see your health care professional. The MHPU makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information that appears on this website. The MHPU partner organizations are responsible for the content that appears on thier own sites.