ONTARIO ALLIANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS

  • The Ontario Alliance of Mental Health Practitioners (OAMHP, "the Alliance") is an organization of like-minded partners dedicated to the recognition of the counselling and the psychotherapy professions in Ontario.

    In fulfilling its mandate, the Alliance promotes the development of policies and practices for the provision of accessible, competent, and accountable counselling and psychotherapy services throughout the human lifespan in a manner sensitive to the pluralistic nature of society.

    The Alliance strives to understand the needs of the diverse community of counsellors and psychotherapists in Ontario and aspires to being inclusive in its membership and a strong voice for the promotion of counselling and psychotherapy.

    The Ontario Alliance of Mental Health Practitioners (the Alliance) is an umbrella organization whose members are professional associations in the field of mental health. The Alliance was formed to address the issue of regulating counselling and psychotherapy in Ontario.

OAMHP Goals

The Public Voice

To be the public voice of non-statutory self-regulating mental health professionals in Ontario. The Alliance will speak to government, related professions, the media and the public alike;

Government Regulation

To seek government regulation of non-statutory self-regulating mental health professionals as indispensable members of the health care system in Ontario.

News and Events

  • 18 November

    Mental Health and Addiction go Hand in Hand

     

    Mental Health and Addiction go Hand in Hand

    TORONTO (November 17, 2015) – This week is National Addictions Awareness Week, an annual initiative that provides an opportunity for all Canadians to learn more about substance abuse prevention, how addiction impacts communities across the country, and what resources are available to help. Given the fact that addiction and mental health issues are very strongly connected, the Ontario Alliance of Mental Health Practitioners (OAMHP) wants to call caring attention to the many Canadians who struggle with addiction on a daily basis.

    “Addiction and mental health are very much related,” said Bob Bond, Chair of OAMHP. “In fact, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has found that in any given year, one in five Canadians experience a mental health or addiction problem, and at least 20% of people with a mental illness have a co-occurring substance use problem.”

     Since 2002, the OAMHP has served to highlight different mental health modalities in Ontario, each with its own benefits. The Alliance includes 12 mental health organizations and institutions invested in working together to ensure that Ontarians are aware of the best mental healthcare options available.

    “Addiction impacts not just the individual, but family and friends as well,” continued Bond. “The need to provide mental health support to those closely connected to someone struggling with addiction is also important as it can be extremely painful and difficult journey for all involved.”

    The OAMHP finds that the area of Canadian healthcare most complex to negotiate on the consumer side, and to orchestrate on the provider side, is mental health. From art therapy and music therapy to talk therapy, from cognitive, emotional and spiritual matters through relational ones, there are a myriad of services that focus on wellbeing. It is critical Ontarians know where to look if they or a family member or friend are experiencing mental health issues. 

    -30-

    The Ontario Alliance of Mental Health Practitioners(OAMHP) is an umbrella organization whose 12 members are professional associations and institutions invested to work together in province’s field of mental health. OAMHP was formed to address the issue of regulating counselling and psychotherapy.  For more information, please visit OAMHP’s website at www.ontariomentalhealthalliance.ca or on Twitter @OAMHP.

    For more information, please contact:

     Cynthia Waldmeier, Public Relations

    Phone: 613-233-8906   Cell: 613-894-2128  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  • 09 October

    World Mental Health Day

     

    On World Mental Health Day, Focus on 20% of Canadians Who Struggle with Mental Health Issues

     TORONTO (October 9, 2015) – Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day, an annual initiative aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues globally and mobilizing efforts in support of mental wellness. With mental health issues impacting an estimated 1 in 5 Canadians each year, the Ontario Alliance of Mental Health Practitioners (OAMHP) wants to bring greater attention on behalf of those who are struggling, call for greater understanding of mental health issues, and highlight Alliance resources available to help.

    “The World Health Organization’s annual Mental Health Day offers an important reminder on the impacts mental illness has on too many individuals and their families,” said Bob Bond, Chair of OAMHP. “With the election in full swing, World Mental Health Day also provides an excellent opportunity for Canadians to have their voices heard and ensure that all political parties make mental health a priority.”

    Since 2002, the OAMHP has served to highlight different mental health modalities in Ontario, each with its own benefits. The Alliance includes 13 mental health organizations and institutions invested in working together to ensure that Ontarians are aware of the best mental healthcare options available.

    “Our organization is concerned that individuals struggling with their mental health may not be aware of the many resources available to them,” continued Bond. “Access to quality care is essential, particularly given the many thousands within Ontario alone that can be impacted by depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health issues on a daily basis.”

    The OAMHP finds that the area of Canadian healthcare most complex to negotiate on the consumer side, and to orchestrate on the provider side, is mental health. From art therapy and music therapy to talk therapy; from cognitive, emotional and spiritual matters through relational ones, there are a myriad of services that focus on wellbeing. It is critical Ontarians know where to look if they or a family member or friend are experiencing mental health issues.

     

    -30-

     

    The Ontario Alliance of Mental Health Practitioners(OAMHP) is an umbrella organization whose 13 members are professional associations and institutions invested to work together in province’s field of mental health. OAMHP was formed to address the issue of regulating counselling and psychotherapy.  For more information, please visit OAMHP’s website at www.ontariomentalhealthalliance.ca or on Twitter @OAMHP.

    For more information, please contact:

     Cynthia Waldmeier, Public Relations

    Phone: 613-233-8906   Cell: 613-894-2128  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  • 25 June

    Children’s Mental Health

     

    The Importance of Children’s Mental Health and the Necessity of Early Help

     

     TORONTO (June 4, 2015) – With summer drawing near, children across Ontario will soon be completing their school year and enjoying the warm weather and various activities that follow. However, not all children will be able to enjoy the summer. With the start of the new season, the Ontario Alliance of Mental Health Practitioners (OAMHP) wants to call attention to the growing number of children that are impacted by mental illness.

     

    "According to Children’s Mental Health Ontario, 1 in 5 children are struggling with their mental health,” said Bob Bond, Chair of OAMHP. “Our alliance is dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to adequate support systems for both the detection and treatment of mental illness. There are far too many kids living without the assistance that they need, or waiting on increasingly long wait lists for treatment, and this is an alarming signal that we as a society aren’t dealing with this situation properly.”

    Since 2002, the OAMHP has served to highlight different mental health modalities in Ontario, each with its own benefits. The Alliance includes 13 mental health organizations and institutions invested in working together to ensure that Ontarians are aware of the best mental healthcare options available.

     “A large percentage of mental health issues emerge during adolescence, which is a crucial time for a child’s mental and physical development,” continued Bond. “There are a number of aspects that contribute to children’s mental health including biological factors, difficult experiences, and social circumstances. The consequences of not providing suitable care are far-reaching; it is never too early to focus on children’s mental health in order to maintain their emotional strength and balance while they continue to develop.”

    The OAMHP finds that the area of Canadian healthcare most complex to negotiate on the consumer side, and to orchestrate on the provider side, is mental health. From art therapy, music therapy and play therapy to talk therapy; from cognitive, emotional and spiritual matters through relational ones, there are a myriad of services that focus on wellbeing. It is critical Ontarians know where to look if they or a family member or friend are experiencing mental health issues.

    The Ontario Alliance of Mental Health Practitioners(OAMHP) is an umbrella organization whose 13 members are professional associations and institutions invested to work together in province’s field of mental health. OAMHP was formed to address the issue of regulating counselling and psychotherapy.  For more information, please visit OAMHP’s website at www.ontariomentalhealthalliance.ca or on Twitter @OAMHP.

    For more information, please contact:

    Cynthia Waldmeier, Public Relations  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: 613-233-8906   Cell: 613-894-2128

  • 25 June

    National Mental Health Week

    The Need to  Eliminate the Stigma on Mental Illness

     

    TORONTO (May 4th, 2015) – Today is the first day of National Mental Health week, an annual awareness initiative focused on supporting the individuals and families in Canada struggling with mental health issues. In recognition of this important week, the Ontario Alliance of Mental Health Practitioners (OAMHP) wants to call attention to the need to lessen the stigma on those impacted by mental illness.

     

    “National Mental Health Week is extremely important in bringing attention to the estimated 1 in 5 Canadians who struggle with mental health issues each year,” said Bob Bond, Chair of OAMHP. “Our alliance is particularly concerned with the ongoing stigma placed on individuals with mental illness. It’s critical that people focus on mental wellness in the same capacity as they would their physical health, and lessening the stigma is an important first step in that process.”

     

    Since 2002, the OAMHP has served to highlight different mental health modalities in Ontario, each with its own benefits. The Alliance includes 13 mental health organizations and institutions invested in working together to ensure that Ontarians are aware of the best mental healthcare options available.

     

    “Awareness campaigns like Mental Health Week are so important in making sure people with mental health issues don’t fall through the cracks when it comes to treatment,” continued Bond. “With a greater focus on wellness, we can treat mental health issues before they become serious. Our Alliance offers a wide array of psychotherapy and counselling services with the aim of helping individuals before something tragic happens due to lack of treatment.”

     

    The OAMHP finds that the area of Canadian healthcare most complex to negotiate on the consumer side, and to orchestrate on the provider side, is mental health.  From art therapy, music therapy and play therapy to talk therapy; from cognitive, emotional and spiritual matters through relational ones, there are a myriad of services that focus on wellbeing. It is critical Ontarians know where to look if they or a family member or friend are experiencing mental health issues.

     -30-

     

    The Ontario Alliance of Mental Health Practitioners(OAMHP) is an umbrella organization whose 13 members are professional associations and institutions invested to work together in province’s field of mental health. OAMHP was formed to address the issue of regulating counselling and psychotherapy.  For more information, please visit OAMHP’s website at www.ontariomentalhealthalliance.ca or on Twitter @OAMHP.

     

    For more information, please contact:

    Cynthia Waldmeier, Public Relations  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Phone: 613-233-8906   Cell: 613-894-2128