Where we are now
Through numerous engagements and evaluations of past community-based initiatives, we learned that a more expansive and empowered structure for change was required to meet the needs of Edmontonians.
The Strategy for Community Mental Health is an evolution of the Community Mental Health Action Plan and Living Hope: Edmonton’s Suicide Prevention Plan. With extensive community and lived experience consultation, and the commitments of our service providers, the Strategy was born.
The development of this Strategy has been made possible through a series of innovations in municipal leadership, provincial investment, community member commitment, and local organization collaboration. Advocacy from City Councillors, provincial administrators, and community leaders has been instrumental in getting to this point.
This new structure and strategy recognizes current priorities and the jurisdictional needs of those involved while advancing the commitments of prior initiatives. Our partnership aligns with the provincial government’s focus on recovery and supporting an individual’s capacity to thrive in community, and with the City of Edmonton’s City Plan and Community Safety and Well-being Strategy. It leverages the United Way’s expertise in guiding community planning, CMHA-ER’s vision for community leadership and accountability, and the City’s leadership in mobilizing community services and resources.
Our goal is to bring the whole community—individuals, service providers, system influencers, broader community supports, and policy and funding entities—together to envision and enact a Community Mental Health system grounded in user experience for improved outcomes.
Our Commitments
Align around lived experience
Promote service and funding integration
Support understanding, access and promotion of community mental health
Our Strengths
The Expertise and Involvement of People with Lived Experience
The first asset draws from the knowledge and active participation of people with lived experience. This under-tapped resource can dramatically improve community mental health in Edmonton. Despite past challenges in mental health governance, many with lived experience remain optimistic about playing a greater role in the future. They want to support access for themselves and others, be part of decision-making, and share responsibility and accountability to inform policy and service implementation.
Relationships Established Through Past Work
The involvement of people with lived experience in Living Hope: Edmonton’s Suicide Prevention Strategy and the Community Mental Health Action Plan provides a strong foundation. Relationships exist with many people with lived experience, and their capacity to lead strategic mental health work has grown through these initiatives. Structures and processes supporting their involvement will be built upon and continuously improved.
The Foundation of Documentation, Knowledge, and Experience in Continuous Improvement of Mental Health
Over the years, many mental health strategies, initiatives, and plans in the Edmonton Region have addressed gaps and increased mental health services and supports. These efforts have advocated for better integration and coordination of services. The capacity developed in the community mental health sector is a major asset that will drive change.
Ongoing Collaboration and Coordination Efforts
Community organizations recognize that working together strengthens service quality and leads to better outcomes. Despite limited funding, many organizations have proactively initiated partnerships, combined services in shared locations, and exchanged valuable data. This collaborative spirit can be encouraged through clear expectations, targeted support, and shared resources. In addition, numerous organizations are already coordinating services effectively, even without formal agreements or structures in place.
The Wealth of Existing Cultural and Natural Supports
Edmonton already has a wealth of cultural and natural supports that promote well-being. Community leaders and organizations, deeply connected to specific cultural needs and contexts, are providing tailored and effective assistance. Culturally responsive approaches such as land-based healing, Elder support, Indigenous psychological services, and linguistically diverse supports demonstrate the value and impact of expanding these initiatives. Through the development of the SCMH, we have identified promising models, tools, and community-led research approaches that highlight further opportunities for positive impact.
Our Actions
Establish strong governance that centers Lived Experience
Build capacity to understand and meet the needs of Edmontonians across cultures.
Support and strategically develop multi-sector collaboration, enabling seamless journeys for individuals in their experiences
Coordinate funding and update funding policies to accelerate development of the community mental health system
Recognize and enhance natural and existing support pathways through collaboration, capacity building, training, and resources
Community mental health considers individuals from a holistic perspective, acknowledging the full range of what people need to thrive.