MDSC, in its national advocacy role, is invited to present formal briefs and positions before the Senate, House of Commons’ committees, and other federal bodies and initiatives. These documents represent consumer and family perspectives on matters that are of interest to them.

MDSC. Pan-Canadian Survey on Mental Health Services. November 2011. In September, Mood Disorders Society of Canada surveyed Canadians on their views of mental health services and supports in Canada. The results were analysed and the report is now available. News release // Report // More details...

MDSC. Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind. Oct 26, 2011.Mood Disorders Society of Canada hosted a working dinner to discuss Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on Oct 26th at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. Event Brief // More details...

"Mood Disorders Society of Canada encourages Provincial Health Ministers to Prioritize Mental Health", November 14, 2011. MDSC sends letter to all provincial and territorial Health Ministers, urging them to bring mental illness to the forefront as they work towards the 2014 health care accord. News Release // Letter.

"How do you feel?" Building Economic Resilience by Beating Canada's Depression Epidemic, August 12, 2011. Submission by Phil Upshall, National Executive Director Mood Disorders Society of Canada and Dr. Zul Merali, President & CEO, University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research; Director of Research, the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance. (PDF)

Mood Disorders Society of Canada Submission to The Standing Committee on Finance Pre-Budget Consultation - August 12, 2011. (PDF)...

Mood Disorders Society of Canada Calls for Improved Access to Mental Health Medications, November 4 2010. Read more...

Mood Disorders Society of Canada comments on a new national survey on depression, Sept 28, 2010. Read more....

MDSC: House of Common’s Standing Committee on Finance Recommendations to the Minister of Finance for the 2008 Federal Budget, February 2008  (PDF English)

MDSC: Pre-Budget Brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance, August 2007 (PDF English)

Federal Budget Reduces Stigma of Mental Illness, March 19, 2007 (PDF English // French)

The Common Drug Review – Access to Medications
MDSC appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health during its hearings on the Common Drug Review. MDSC brief includes comments on the need for access to medications for Canadians with mental illnesses and comments regarding the lack of timeliness, transparency and patient/consumer engagement in the drug approval process...

Mood Disorders Society of Canada Brief (PDF English)
The Standing Committee on Health’s deliberations on the CDR (PDF English // French)
The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health and the CDR Link

Brief to the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, May 12, 2004 (PDF English)

Mood Disorders & Problem Gambling Research Plenary Session, October 26, 2004 (PDF English) 

More Money for Health Care isn’t a Panacea, September 14, 2004 (PDF English)

A Blueprint For National Action On Mood Disorders In Canada, August 2004
Following two years of extensive consultation and focused planning, MDSC developed a comprehensive planning framework in July 2003 to address major issues affecting consumers and their families in Canada. In order to incorporate these objectives within a national planning framework from a consumer and family perspective, the MDSC requested and received funding through the Social Development Partnership Program of the Office for Disability Issues of Social Development Canada to develop the Blueprint for National Action on Mood Disorders.  The intent of the Blueprint is to formulate a national action plan that will achieve the eight overarching long-term objectives articulated in the report.  (PDF English // French) 

Read November E-News