Grant: Catalyst Grant: Primary and Community-Based Healthcare

Increasingly, mental health is at the forefront of discussions related to public health and wellness. According to Health Canada's 2002 'A Report on Mental Illness in Canada', mental illness affects the lives of all Canadians - 20% will experience a mental illness in their lifetime, and the remaining 80% will be affected by the illness of family, friends, and colleagues. The report further suggests that with adequate attention and resources, there is much that can be done to better the lives of persons with mental illness. However, there is very little information available on the needs, service use, and outcomes of persons receiving mental health services, or about the needs of persons across the continuum of mental health care. This proposal puts forth plans for a one year applied pilot project to gain a system-level perspective by examining need, service use, and outcomes among Ontarians receiving inpatient and community-based mental health services. It also seeks to understand the experiences of mental health professionals in coordinating care.