Welcome to the National Network for Mental Health website. It is my sincerest hope that you  find the information you see here to be both informative, and inspirational.

The National Network for Mental Health is a unique national organization that has a "grassroots" history and approach.  It is the only non-diagnostic mental health consumer/survivor organization that is national in scope and service in Canada.

We, as an organization, are 100% consumer/survivor driven. This means that all of our board members, voting members, and most of our staff, are mental health consumer/survivors. As an organization, we believe networking to be based on the principles of inclusion and informed choice and we respect each person's individuality as we work together to find "common ground".

Our organization began as the Canadian Mental Health Association - National Office's "Consumer Participation Task Group" in the 1980's and became independent in 1991, changed its name to the National Network for Mental Health and became incorporated in 1992. More than 15 years after incorporation, we have seen government support come and go, and still we remain strong because of our commitment to each other, our peers, and the national consumer/survivor movement.

Through that same time period, we, as an organization, have developed working relationships with businesses and organizations from the private and public sectors, government - both federally and provincially, and with hundreds of individuals who have been good enough to volunteer their time.

The National Network for Mental Health has developed from having no staff to 25 full-time staff. At times, we had no office to call our own, and presently we have 8 offices across the country, four project sites that have been divested and are thriving, and as time moves on we continue to prosper and grow.

As we pass through time, we see only a positive outlook for our organization and those we represent. We see a promise that the Canadian consumer/survivor community will become empowered by equality, respect, policy input, informed choice, inclusion, and ownership of our own lives.

National Executive Director

Purpose

The purpose of the National Network for Mental Health, which is run by and for mental health consumer/survivors, is to advocate, educate and provide expertise and resources that benefit the Canadian consumer/survivor community.

The focus of our organization is to network with Canadian consumer/survivors and family and friends of consumer/survivors to provide opportunities for resource sharing, information distribution and education on mental health issues. The principles of inclusion, informed choice and individuality are the focal point.

The individuality of each consumer/survivor is valued and appreciated. Working toward the common goal of advocating on behalf of the national mental health consumer/survivor community is accomplished by empowering individuals who together create a powerful united voice.