Advancing mental healthcare in Canada: The development and dissemination of the quality mental healthcare implementation toolkit

Abstract

Quality mental healthcare delivery in Canada continues to face challenges in consistency and effectiveness. To address these gaps and respond to the evolving mental health landscape post-COVID, HealthCareCAN and the Mental Health Commission of Canada revised the Quality Mental Healthcare Framework (QMHCF) and developed an implementation toolkit. A multi-phase approach was used, including an environmental scan, key informant interviews, and consultations with people with lived and living experience to refine the framework and inform implementation strategies. The QMHCF identifies eight core dimensions of quality, emphasizing care as equitable, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, evidence-based, integrated, stigma-free and inclusive, appropriate, and delivered in a positive work-life environment. The implementation toolkit includes practical guidance, case studies, and evaluation tools to support adoption. Both the revised framework and toolkit provide healthcare organizations with evidence-informed resources to enhance the delivery of mental health services across diverse care settings in Canada.