History of the CMHA (National Level)

The Canadian Mental Health Association is one of the oldest continuing voluntary health organizations in Canada.

It began existence as the Canadian National Committee for Mental Hygiene (CNCMH), founded by Dr. Clarence M. Hincks and Clifford W. Beers in January 26, 1918. Hincks was very interested in the field because he had experienced bouts of mental illness.

A short historical note records the purposes and objectives of the Canadian National Committee for Mental Hygiene, as tentatively described at that first meeting. They included:

1. War Work (a) Psychiatric examination of recruits. (b) Adequate care of returned soldiers suffering from mental disabilities.
2. Mental examination of immigrants (post-war) to ensure a better selection of newcomers.
3. Adequate facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of cases of mental disease.
4. Adequate care of the mentally deficient.
5. Prevention of mental disease and deficiency.

The first official meeting of the CNCMH was held in Ottawa on April 26, 1918. A provisional constitution was adopted.

In its first five years, the CNCMH built a firm foundation for meeting the objectives established in 1918. Surveys on the care and treatment of people suffering from mental disorders were conducted in every province. Mental hospitals in all provinces, except Ontario and Quebec, were inspected at the request of provincial governments. The extent of mental disorder was found to be greater than expected, and preventive programs were non-existent. In accordance with the committee's recommendations, provincial governments spent over six million dollars on improving facilities for the mentally ill.

CNCMH surveys of schoolchildren, conducted in several centres in Ontario and Quebec, resulted in over 150 special classes for retarded children being established by school boards. Mental Hygiene clinics were promoted and, in some cases, partially supported. A study of the psychiatric screening of immigrants resulted in a reduction of the number of new Canadians with mental disorders. The problem of "shell shock" and the rehabilitation of soldiers suffering from mental and nervous disorders was addressed through co-operation with DSCR and the Director General of Medical Services in the army. A beginning was made on public and professional education in mental hygiene and psychiatry.

The above history is paraphrased from the CMHA National Website

History of CMHA - Niagara Branch

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Niagara South Branch (formerly Welland Branch) received its Charter in November 1975, and has been growing and evolving to meet the mental health needs, initially of the people in the Welland, Port Colborne and area communities. The range of mental health services provided until 1983 included counselling and support services, support groups, information and referral service, public education and a social recreational program.

In 1983 funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health was received to deliver a Regional Supportive Housing Program for the Welland, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines communities. Since then we have developed a range of housing alternatives throughout the Niagara Region. In 1994 this program expanded to include Community Support to people who are living in the community and having severe difficulties related to mental illness.

In February 1989, due to a lack of stable, ongoing funding, the Niagara Falls Branch of Canadian Mental Health Association found it necessary to surrender their Charter. In an effort to ensure the development of mental health services to Niagara Falls, the outgoing Board of Directors requested the Welland Branch to expand its territory to include the Niagara Falls Branch catchment area. Canadian Mental Health Association, Welland Branch agreed to expand its territory with the understanding that it could not provide direct service programs in Niagara Falls (other than Supportive Housing) until a stable funding base was secured. As such, the Branch applied for and received a new Letters Patent, changing the Branch name to Canadian Mental Health Association, Niagara South Branch to reflect the expanded service area.

In September 1991 a submission to the Trillium Foundation to fund a Mental Health Promotion Program in Niagara Falls was approved. Our Agency received a declining five-year grant which provided us with sufficient funds to operate a satellite office staffed by one part-time (30 hours/week) mental health counsellor. The grant was approved with the condition that we secure stable permanent funding in the fifth year of operation. This grant allowed us to expand our counselling and support services including support groups, information and referral service and public education into the Niagara Falls and, to a limited extent, the Fort Erie area.

In 1992, our Agency received additional permanent funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health to develop and to establish a Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Program in Niagara Falls for individuals who have a chronic psychiatric illness. This program was intended to serve people residing in Niagara Falls and Fort Erie. As a result "Club Niagara", located on Ferry Street in Niagara Falls, opened in March of 1992.

In 1995, our Branch received a demonstration grant from the United Way of Greater Fort Erie, and in 1996, we received member status allowing us to provide direct services to the Fort Erie community.

In 1998, two new programs were launched in Niagara Falls; A Mental Health Resource/Counselling Centre and a Supported Employment Program. The Resource Centre is available to people who have mental health issues, their family and friends, as well as the general community. Resource material will be available to raise the community's level of knowledge about mental health and mental illness, prevention and coping. The Supported Employment Program is for individuals who have had difficulty obtaining or maintaining employment because of mental health problems. Participants will explore career goals and ways to overcome barriers. They will be assisted to obtain vocational lifeskills, job readiness, vocational counselling, job placements and ongoing vocational support.

C.M.H.A., Niagara South Branch has over twenty-two years of direct community service delivery. Throughout those years we have had continued growth. We are recognized as a solid service provider and an effective contributor to the community mental health system. We have skilled staff and a good partnership of Board, consumers, family members and professional service providers. Measures have been taken throughout the years to ensure that programs are kept up to date and as efficient and effective as possible. We have a proven record of fiscal responsibility and a commitment to meet our objectives even under the severe economic climate we are faced with.