Health Policy & Systems 

This section is for policy makers, health promotion planners and others working in policy or health promotion. These resources may be used to advance the provision of addiction and mental health care in health systems or to promote mental health within communities, organizations and populations. 

New and Featured Resources

The National Youth Screening Project: Enhancing Youth-Focused, Evidence-Informed Treatment Practices through Cross-Sectoral Collaboration
The National Youth Screening Project worked with agencies across Canada to
- improve how youth access treatments for substance use or co-occurring substance use and mental health concerns (CD);
- help service providers become better able to help these youth;
- and increase opportunities for early intervention.
The national report findings, 10 local reports and recommendations can be accessed through the link above. (From EEnet.)

The Youth Systems Services Review (YSSR) (PDF)
The Youth Systems Services Review (YSSR) is a review of the services currently available to address the substance use needs of youth age 12 to 24 in Ontario. The project aimed to
- describe the landscape of service available to youth
- identify gaps and opportunities for collaboration
- enhance services
- and build a system to better meet the needs of youth.
The information gathered from multiple perspectives, and the resulting recommendations, have the potential to inform long-term system change to better meet the needs of youth. (From EEnet.)

Resources by Issue area

• Chronic disease and injury prevention
  These strategy documents and papers provide approaches to counter addiction and poor mental health. Mental health and addiction contribute significantly to chronic disease and preventable injury in Ontario.
• Diversity, human rights and stigma
  Resources and links on mental health and substance use services which aim to be inclusive, respectful and culturally competent. This section also aims to address the societal stigma attached to substance use and mental health problems.
• Mental health and addiction systems
  How well do we meet the clinical needs of people with substance use and/or mental health problems? Resources include reports on the addiction and mental health sector.
• Mental health promotion
  Background papers, best practices and theory on mental health promotion - how enhancing resources and coping capacity in individuals and communities can improve mental health. 
• Social determinants of health
  Economic and social conditions, such as housing, social status and income, influence people’s well-being and health. This section includes relevant programs and organizations addressing these social determinants of health.

• Substance use
  Briefs and submissions on alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs.

See CAMH public policy documents for how CAMH is influencing public policy including CAMH submissions.