Addiction is a worldwide problem and each country takes a different approach to dealing with substance abuse and mental health. In Canada, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is the country’s largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital. Along with providing outstanding clinical care for people suffering from substance abuse mental health problems, CAMH also performs groundbreaking research, which leads to better understandings of addiction and mental health. CAMH also develops innovative health promotion and addiction prevention strategies.

Unlike substance abuse and mental health centers in the United States, CAMH has great influence on Canada’s public policies at all levels of government. The CAMH has also earned Canada’s highest-level hospital accreditation and is a Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization Collaborating Center.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health treats over 20,000 people and responds to over 400,000 outpatient visits each year. Persons dealing with life-long addictions or mentally unstable individuals alike, the CAMH in Canada respects the diversity of its community of clients and provides them with the personal attention and groundbreaking treatments it takes to keep them sober and mentally sound.

Whether it is a young person experiencing a first episode of psychosis, a senior with dementia, an adult with a drug addiction and depression, a child with a learning disability or anger management issue, or a person with a gambling problem or with schizophrenia, CAMH provides the specialized treatment needed. We’re transforming lives.” Reads the CAMH website.  “At CAMH, our client-centred care focuses on individual client needs and strengths, and fully involves clients and their families. We respect the diversity of the clients and communities we serve, and provide inclusive, collaborative, culturally appropriate care and services.”