The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), founded in 1918, is one of the oldest voluntary organizations in Canada. Each year, we provide direct service to more than 100,000 Canadians through the combined efforts of more than 10,000 volunteers and staff across Canada in over 120 communities.
As a nation-wide, voluntary organization, the Canadian Mental Health Association promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness. The CMHA accomplishes this mission through advocacy, education, research and service.
CMHA branches across Canada provide a wide range of innovative services and supports to people who are experiencing mental illness and their families. These services are tailored to the needs and resources of the communities where they are based. One of the core goals of these services is to help people with mental illness develop the personal tools to lead meaningful and productive lives.
History
The Canadian Mental Health Association is one of the oldest continuing voluntary health organizations in Canada.
It was founded in 1918 by Dr. Clarence M. Hincks and Clifford W. Beers and called the Canadian National Committee for Mental Hygiene (CNCMH). Dr. Hincks was from St.Marys, Ontario and experienced mental illness himself.
Today, there are 31 CMHA branches across Ontario.
The CMHA Perth County Branch opened in 1967 with a budget of just $4,500. When the Bluewater Mental Hospital in Goderich closed in 1975, funds were redirected to inpatient psychiatric services in Stratford and Goderich.
CMHA Perth County began providing housing and support services in the early 1980s and in 1997 extended its services to Huron County. In 2000, it was renamed CMHA Huron Perth. The branch now has three offices; Stratford, Seaforth and Goderich.
Today, the local organization provides a wide range of support services to people with mental illness, while continuing to place an emphasis on educating the public and eliminating the stigma of mental illness. Its annual operating budget is now more than $4 million.
Governance Board
CMHA Huron Perth programs are delivered by skilled professional staff with extensive knowledge of mental illness and community resources. The volunteer Board of Directors monitor the effectiveness of our programs and oversee the integrity of our financial controls and planning processes.
| Dawn Crook | Bayfield, President |
| Rod McIntosh | Waterloo, Past President |
| Betsy-Anne Barton | Stratford, Vice President |
| Kevin Talsma | Stratford, Treasurer |
| Heather McMillan | Blyth |
| Dennis Vere | Hensall |
| Eugene Dufour | Bayfield |