What is Mental Health Renewal?

Mental Health Renewal is a broadening of the mandate of the mental health system to include practices that improve mental wellness as well as treat mental illness.  It moves the mental health system in a direction towards a primary health care approach that stresses service delivery strategies focused on promotion, prevention and early intervention.  This approach reflects population health principles, and involves community-based strategies and coordinated, integrated approaches with services offered along a continuum of care.

Vision Statement for Mental Health Renewal

1. Mental health services are developed based on the knowledge that people can recover from mental illness.
2. Individuals with mental health problems have the opportunity to live in integrated housing that they have selected in their community.
3. All new initiatives and programs are based on the latest relevant knowledge, reflect best practices and are oriented toward successful coping, empowerment, self-direction and recovery.
4. Individuals have supports and services available to them that they have had a central role in developing, selecting and evaluating.  These services are focused on successful living in communities.  Local community resources and the responsibility to include all citizens are seen as integral within the framework of support.
5. Family members and other natural supports are included in the planning and evaluating of services and initiatives.
6. Self-help groups play a significant role in the mental health system and in the lives of consumers, family members and other natural supports.
7. A primary health care approach that encompasses population health principles is used to address people's diverse health needs and includes a focus on prevention, health promotion and early intervention.  It involves holistic, community-based strategies and coordinated, integrated approaches.  Services are offered along a continuum of care.
8. Manitobans understand and are comfortable with mental health issues and are comfortable exploring and accessing these supports.  Efforts to change negative public attitudes and their resulting behaviours, such as discrimination, are in place across the province.  

Mental Health renewal activities will be aligned with this vision statement.

Mental Health Renewal Goals and Objectives

GOAL #1:

Enhanced, meaningful involvement of consumers, family members and other natural supports in individual services and in health system planning. Manitoba Healthy Living has developed two new policies in consultation with the Provincial Mental Health Advisory Council and Regional Health Authorities: Consumer Participation in Mental Health Services Planning, Implementation and Evaluation [PDF - 8 pages - 45 kb] Family Member and Natural Support Participation in Mental Health Service Planning, Implementation and Evaluation [PDF- 11 pages - 73kb].

GOAL #2:

Enhanced role of self-help groups in the mental health system and in the lives of consumers, family members and other natural supports

GOAL #3:

Improved understanding and knowledge in the community with regards to: maintaining good mental health, mental illness and the issues that face individuals living with mental illness, and the importance of early identification and intervention - and where to go for help.

GOAL #4

Improved services and improved ability of clients to access appropriate services at the right place and right time.

GOAL #5:

Improved integration and continuity of mental health and health related services.

Mental Health Education Resource Centre of Manitoba

As part of Mental Health Renewal, funding has been put in place for a provincial Mental Health Education Resource Centre, that focuses on providing educational materials on mental health and mental illness, and early intervention in mental illness.

The funding is used for:

• A lending library of resource materials;

• Producing "Getting Help" - a guide explaining components of the mental health system;

• A recovery-focused Web site that includes easily accessible information that reflects best practices and current thinking related to mental health and mental illness;

• Programs for youth in schools to provide information on mental health and wellness, and how to recognize and intervene early in mental illness offered through Teen Talk of Klinic Community Health Centre.

The Centre opened its doors in February 2002.

Mental Health Education Resource Centre (MHERC)
4 Fort Street - Suite 100
Winnipeg MB R3C 1C4
Phone: 1-204-953-2355
Toll Free: 1-866-997-9918
E-mail:  info@mherc.mb.ca

For more information about the mental health services available in your community, please contact your local RHA.