THE PREVENTION OF MENTAL-HEALTH PROBLEMS IN CANADA - A SURVEY OF PROVINCIAL POLICIES, STRUCTURES, AND PROGRAMS

The purpose of this research was to obtain a profile of the state of p revention in mental health in Canada. In all the provinces and territo ries, we obtained information from the departments of children's menta l health, adult mental health, and health promotion regarding administ rative supports, personnel, policies, budgets, inter-ministerial colla boration, training, and programs allocated for prevention. The finding s indicate that the rhetoric of prevention is present in many governme nt policy documents and there are many interesting prevention projects that have been implemented. However, there has not been a reallocatio n of funding in the health field from treatment and rehabilitation ser vices to prevention programs, and funding for prevention remains at a very low level. Recommendations to improve the state of prevention are made.