Menu
Close
About CMHA
Our Vision: Mentally Healthy People in a Healthy Society
Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians. As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness.
In BC, mental health, substance use and addictive behaviour are within the scope of the organization.
Through our family of over 100 local, provincial and national locations across Canada, CMHA provides a wide range of innovative services and supports tailored to and in partnership with our communities. Mental health begins where you live, learn, work and play. Together, we are making a difference.
As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA facilitates access to the resources people require to maintain and improve mental health and community integration, build resilience and support recovery from mental illness.
In BC, mental health, substance use and addictive behaviour are within scope of the organization.
The Framework for Support
The Framework is the central philosophy guiding the activities of CMHA. This philosophy holds that the person experiencing mental illness is at the center of any supportive mental health system.
The Community Resource Base outlines a range of possible resources in addition to the formal mental health system which can provide support to a person with mental illness. Housing, income, work, and education represents four basic elements of citizenship.
The ultimate goal of the Framework is to ensure that people with serious mental health problems live fulfilling lives in the community. The Framework for Support is referred to as the most comprehensive model for mental health planning by federal and provincial governments as well as by the Centre for Community Change in the US, and the Government of Ireland.
CMHA of Northern BC Branch
The Prince George branch of CMHA has been operating and providing services and advocacy for the citizens of Prince George since 1962.
In 1981, CMHA Prince George began to provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals living with a mental illness through our Mary Harper Achievement Centre. This centre, now our Connections Clubhouse, is run out of a cozy environment, and offers a full range of social, recreational and vocational services and activities to individuals who have mental health issues.
In 1985 we began to offer subsidized housing to individuals with mental illness, and to date this has grown to include 24 subsidized housing units with one group home in operation and 19 single apartments.
In 1987 CMHA began to provide outreach skills to individuals living with a mental illness. In 1993 we began offering the services of a peer support person who assists individuals living with a mental illness in accessing the resources they need to live as independently as possible.
In 2020 we began the process of changing our branch’s name from CMHA Prince George to more accurately reflect the wider geographic region in which it serves and the reach of its mental health services and programs available to Northern British Columbians.
In March 2021 we officially became CMHA of Northern BC. Much of our work would not be possible without the financial partnership of BC Housing Management Commission and the Northern Health Authority.