Research Projects and Collaborations

People with lived experience of mental health and addictions conditions are disproportionately affected by homelessness. An estimated 25 to 50 per cent of people who are homeless live with a mental health condition. For people living with a mental illness, safe and affordable housing can provide a place to live in dignity and move towards […]Continue readingSupportive Housing

Performance Measurement (PM) has become an important mechanism for healthcare planning, system improvement, and public accountability—and a growing body of research and practice literature has documented the positive impacts of PM systems on quality of care when properly conceptualized, designed, and evaluated. The development and collection of a comprehensive set of common indicators across community […]Continue readingPerformance Measurement

The OCAN is a standardized, consumer-led, assessment tool used in the community mental health sector. It identifies individuals’ needs, helps match those needs to existing services and helps identify service gaps. Aggregated OCAN data are also intended to support quality improvement planning at the program, organization and provincial levels. CMHA Toronto is leading a number […]Continue readingOntario Common Assessment of Need (OCAN)

Mental health and justice (MHJ) services aim to provide support to individuals living with a mental illness and/or addiction involved in the criminal justice system. The Government of Ontario has invested in a continuum of MHJ services including pre-charge diversion programs, mental health court support and diversion programs, short-term residential crisis beds, MHJ supportive housing […]Continue readingMental Health and Justice

In order to promote the continuous quality improvement of community mental health services, CMHA undertakes research and evaluations to assess the accessibility, effectiveness and efficiency of community mental health programs.Continue readingEvaluations of Community Mental Health Services

The use of leveraged treatment pressures to promote adherence with community-based mental health treatment among people with serious mental illness (SMI) is a common albeit controversial practice. It frequently involves using the social welfare and legal system to pressure people with a SMI to adhere with treatment. Supporters of this approach suggest such practices serve […]Continue readingCommunity Treatment Orders and Leveraged Treatment