11,000+ partners and volunteers.
5,000+ staff.
87 Divisions, Branches, and Regions.
1 National Office.
Our Vision (National)
Mentally healthy people in a healthy society.
Who We Are and What We Do
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a nation-wide charitable mental health and addictions organization, established in 1918. CMHA is comprised of 87 separate entities; there is a National leadership body, 10 Provincial Divisions (one) in each province, 2 special topic Centers of Excellence and 75 community-based Branches across the nation. CMHA mental health and addictions support and services would not be possible without the committed work of over 5,000 staff, along with the involvement of 11,000 community members that include partners, volunteers, and stakeholders.
The Canadian Mental Health Association was founded in Nova Scotia in 1908 and is the oldest community-based mental health and addictions charitable organization in the province. CMHA NS Division holds the license and provides provincial leadership for mental health in Nova Scotia, with the support of provincial staff located in a number of communities formerly supported by Branches (Kings County, Annapolis County, Tri-County, Queens-Lunenburg County and Cape Breton) alongside the support provided by our two independent CMHA Branches, Colchester East Hants and Halifax-Dartmouth.
CMHAs are governed by a National vision: “Mentally healthy people in a healthy society” and provides community-based mental health and addiction supports and services within three key strategic areas: Strengthening Our Collective Voice, Ensuring Quality Services and Enhancing Organizational Health.
In alignment with the National Vision and Strategic Goals, CMHA NS Division’s mission is to support the Mental Health of all Nova Scotians. This mission is achieved through the provision of community-based supports and services that promotes positive mental health- quality of life- and prevents mental ill-health related injury and disease through:
- Strengthening our Collective Voice by developing collaborative and supportive relationships among multiple sectors and partners, in support of mental health for all;
- Ensuring Quality Services through the provision of quality and timely, evidence-based mental health promotion- injury disease (mental health and addictions) awareness, education, training, programs and initiatives that mental health and quality of life for all Nova Scotians; and,
- Enhancing Organizations Health by providing provincial and local community leadership to pilot and deliver innovative evidence-based mental health promotion, injury-disease recovery-based prevention supports and services for all Nova Scotians.