User:Rpaylor/sandbox

Article Evaluation: Bell Let's Talk

• The article does a great job staying relevant to the topic of the social movement, Bell Let's Talk. There were only two instances where campaigns that stemmed from the Bell movement were described in detail, but they were still relevant to the overall topic. The organization of the article also made it easy to follow and connect to the main theme. The article has been frequently updated, and even has detailed additions from the current year.
• On first glance, the article seemed very objective with facts to back statements. After reading the warning sign that the main contributor is closely related to the subject and most citations were based off primary sources, it appeared to me that the article wasn't so neutral. There has been lots of criticism over the intent of the movement, specifically that it was a way to get free advertising, opposed to the declared mission statement of aiding mental health issues. The article makes many claims about the intentions of the company, and I think it is impossible to make assumptions on someone else's intentions. However, if I were to have not read the warning message or checked sources, I would not have noticed the bias.
• The criticism section of the article is underrepresented. It only includes a couple short paragraphs at the bottom of the page, and doesn't provide much detail to the full scope of criticism the movement received.
• Out of all the citations I checked, all the links worked and supported the claims of the article
• Most all facts are cited with a reference, but many of those references are from a primary source. The bias is noted as a warning message in the beginning of the article referencing the need for more neutral sources and content.
• Much of the Talk page includes discussion on how to make the article less biased with fewer primary sources. there is also talk about condensing sections and paying close attention to minor edits like word choice.
• The article received a B-class rating. It is also a part WikiProject Television and WikiProject Canada.
• Contribution to the article's Talk page: Talk:Bell Let's Talk
  • Agreed. I think that continuous yearly updates isn't sustainable in the long-term and contributes to the article being written like an advertisement. The information about the organizations that received donations is also rather lengthy. Maybe summarizing the total contributions and referencing key impacts like the largest endowments, the most note-able research projects, and supporters of the campaign would help condense the section? --Rpaylor (talk) 02:56, 5 February 2020 (UTC)

Canadian Mental Health Association

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) was founded on April 26, 1918 by Dr. Clarence M. Hincks and Clifford W. Beers. Originally named the Canadian National Committee for Mental Hygiene, it is one of the largest and oldest voluntary health organizations operating in Canada.^[1]

Across Canada, CMHA divisions and branches provide service to more than 1.3 million Canadians annually through the combined efforts of more than 10,000 volunteers and 5,000 staff in locally run organizations in more than 300 communities in every province.^[2] Its functions to provide support, advocacy, and recovery of mental health issues through programs that deliver the necessary tools.

History

Creation

The Canadian Mental Health Association originally started as the Canadian National Committee for Mental Hygiene (CNCMH) in response to the hundreds of soldiers retuning from World War I experiencing mental illness.^[3] Veterans' were place in prisons and asylums and Dr. Clarence M. Hincks noticed the lack of support, doctors and treatment inside these institutions, thus creating the need to change.^[4] Hincks, unsure how to proceed, partnered with Clifford W. Beers who had experience in the National Committee of Mental Hygiene in the United States to being mental hygiene to Canada.

The first official meeting of the CNCMH was held in Ottawa on April 26, 1918. A provisional constitution was adopted, Dr C.F. Martin, Professor of Medicine at McGill University, was elected President, Dr C.K. Clarke was appointed Medical Director, and Dr. C.M. Hincks was appointed Associate Medical Director and Secretary.^[3]

The meeting aimed to devised a plan to best assist those already in need as well as preventative measures in the future. This included objectives like a psychiatric and mental examinations of recruits, insuring adequate facilities for diagnosis and proper treatment for soldiers returning suffering from a mental disability or disease, and prevention of mental disease and deficiency.^[3]

Hincks then worked on finding doctors, creating a Board of Directors, and gaining donors to build his committee. With an importance of having a team of approved medical professions, Hincks discovered C.K. Clarke, Dean of Medicine and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and the medical faculty of McGill. Hincks selected 18 members for his Board of Directors, including well known names like Lord Shaughnessy, President of the CPR; Richard B. Angus, Montreal financier and philanthropist; Dr. C.F. Martin, Professor of Medicine, McGill University; Sir Vincent Meredith, President, Bank of Montreal; and F.W. Molson, President of Molson's Brewery.^[3]

Hincks utilized co-founder Clifford W. Beers personal experience in mental health as a tool to share during "drawing-room meetings", or afternoon teas with influential women in order to gain the support of their wealthy friends. The strategy was extended to homes of friends in Quebec City, Montreal and Ottawa, and it proved successful by recruiting an impressive list of potential members and donors.^[3]

Surveys

One of the first opportunities was a project given by Lieutenant Colonel Colin Russel who asked CNCMH to visit all mental institutions--jails, schools, hospitals, and special homes-- in the province of Manitoba caring for soldiers. Russel had previously visited these sites and was distressed with the conditions of the facilities as well as the treatment and hoped to change them.^[3]

On September 30, 1918, Hincks and his secretary Miss Marjorie Keyes arrived and visited several institutions including the Salvation Army Industrial Home and the Home for Incurables in Portage la Prairie. Shocked by what they discovered, Hincks and Keyes submitted a formal report of surveys to the government and the Public Welfare Commission. Thus sparking a request for similar surveys to occur in other provinces. During the next four years, requests for surveys were received from British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Surveys reviled the impact war had on individuals, highlighting neuropsychiatric disorders and mental health diseases, as well as the improper treatment and care of soldiers. This project helped to pave the way of the National Committee and extend their focus to more than just soldiers.^[3]

Original surveys conducted for the Lieutenant showed the extent of mental disorder was found to be greater than expected and extended beyond veterans. Surveys in schools showed a large number of mental retardation and psychiatric disorders in children. However, programs to address the children's needs were non-existent. CNCMH recommended the government spend over six million dollars to improve facilities and establish auxiliary classes for the special education of such children.^[3]

As a result from these surveys, 150 special classes were established, rehabilitation of soldiers suffering from mental health issues was properly addressed, and there was a reduction in new number of cases of Canadians with mental disorders.^[3]

Current Programs

Peer Support Canada

Peer Support Canada is an organization which specializes in connecting certified people who have previously experienced mental health issues with current sufferers.^[5] The group also offers a certification, a three-phase program where individuals are verified in their knowledge of the national Standards of Practice regarding the skills necessary to assist those with mental health challenges.^[6]

Not Myself Today

Not Myself Today is a campaign addressing mental health issues by cultivating a better workplace culture through training and services in corporations.^[7] Companies that use the program receive a toolkit containing planning support, awareness and engagement activities, and evaluation tools. Participants also have access to an exclusive online portal, as well as national recognition from the Canadian Mental Health Association.^[8]

Carryit

The CMHA introduced Carryit in 2019, a toolkit to be used by those involved in schools to carry with them in case of opioid overdoses. The kit includes a method by which schools can create opioid overdose protocols through providing educational materials on opioids and naloxone, fact sheets related to drug use, social media content examples, posters, and other useful tools to create an understanding and blueprint of how to combat drug overdoses in educational institutions.^[9]

Recovery Colleges

The CMHA has introduced Recovery Colleges that bring together both trained professionals and those who have lived with mental health issues to develop and deliver courses designed to facilitate the hope and skills necessary to help students recover.^[10] They are based off of a similar system that was started in 2009 in the UK and have spread to several locations in Canada, thus far. Peer Support Canada has also played an integral role in connecting those with shared experiences to provide emotional support and have collaborative discussions in how to achieve recovery.

Shortcomings

Kingston Branch Closure

In March of 2020, the Canadian Mental Health Association was forced to close down its Kingston Branch due to a lack of financial support. After 40 years of operations, the branch's overhead costs were too high to sustain and were not being met through the fundraising efforts and grants that fuel the organization.^[11] A change in Ontario's health funding as well as insufficient donations did not provide adequate capital to continue operations. The branch focused on ensuring programs previously offered through the Kingston CMHA would be adopted and available through other non-for-profit agencies, including the Polson Park Free Methodist Church, TransFamily Kingston, and Elizabeth Fry Kingston.^[12] All remaining funds were donated to partners within the community.

Bill C-14

In June of 2016, Bill C-14 passed through the Parliament of Canada to legalize euthanasia in Canada. The bill made it so that those who wish to receive a medically assisted death are permitted to do so through the assistance of a medical practitioner.^[13] In September of 2017, the Canadian Mental Health Association released a public declaration opposing the bill, asserting that recovery is possible for those with metal health issues and that MAiD should not be treated as a substitute for treatment and support.^[14] The CMHA proposed recommendations to the Canadian government including investments in mental health and addiction services, a national suicide prevention strategy, and research. Despite the CMHA's declaration and recommendations, Bill C-14 is still enacted as law to this day.

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