Mental Health for All
CMHA York Region and South Simcoe (CMHA-YRSS) is an award-winning branch of the national nonprofit, Canadian Mental Health Association.
As the nationwide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA facilitates access to the resources people require to maintain and improve mental health and community integration, build resilience, and support recovery from mental illness and addiction.
Mental Health Services in York Region and South Simcoe
CMHA-YRSS is one of the fastest growing chapters of the CMHA with more than 350 staff and 100 volunteers serving the community of 1.2 million residents who live in York Region and South Simcoe. We are committed to driving innovation and integration of services for the best outcomes and experience for clients, families, staff and community partners.
Since 1984, our team of staff, volunteers and donors have supported people in their recovery journey towards mental health and wellness. We believe in client, family and caregiver-centred care through partnerships, accountability and action. We embrace innovation to lead and create transformational impact by focusing our resources and implementing strategies that truly save, support and improve lives.
We offer a wide range of programs, serving clients aged 12 and up on-site at several locations across York Region and South Simcoe, as well as remotely and in community settings. We also provide mental health education and training programs to organizations looking to build knowledge, skills and resilience in their teams.
Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association is the most established, most extensive community mental health organization in Canada. Through a presence in more than 330 communities across every province and one territory, CMHA provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive. With 75 community-based branches/regions, CMHA provides services and supports to over 1.3 million Canadians through the combined efforts of more than 5,000 staff and 11,000 volunteers.
Francophone Integration Pathway
Si vous voulez accéder aux services en français, veuillez contacter notre équipe d’acceuil centrale à intake@cmha-yr.on.ca ou appelez-nous au 1.866.345.0183.
If you wish to access French language services, please contact our Central Intake team at intake@cmha-yr.on.ca or call us at 1.866.345.0183.
Why Does Innovation Matter?
Mental health challenges will affect one in two Canadians in their lifetime. We aim to support the individual, their family and their caregivers to achieve optimal mental health in a way that works for them. We continually develop and introduce new programs and services specific to the diverse needs of all the communities we serve.
With the support of our funders, donors and volunteers, our programming innovations and continual process improvement initiatives have significantly reduced wait times for access to care over the past two years in York Region and South Simcoe. And we are committed to making access to quality care even faster so you can get the help you need, when you need it.
We also have a responsibility to tackle the big, systemic, social challenges that lie behind the mental health epidemic. We need to change nothing less than the way we function as a community, if we are to truly ensure that mental health is possible for everyone.
Our team doesn’t shy away from these challenges, we thrive on them. Take a look below at just a few of the big issues we are tackling with new thinking and a mentality of bravery.
York Region's First 24/7 Mental Health Community Care Centre
Learn More
First Known Gender Affirming Health Clinic
Get Support
Newcomers' Health and Well-Being Program
Get Support
BANAC Indigenous Aging at Home Services
Learn MoreRecognition
Canadian Nonprofit
Employer of Choice Award
8x Winner: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
Accredited with
Exemplary Standing
Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures 2022-2023
Aurora Banner
3x Winner
Thornhill and Richmond Hill Liberal
3x Winner
East Gwillimbury Express
Readers’ Choice 2023 Diamond Winner
Canada’s Best Employers
2x Winner: 2021, 2023
Areas We Serve
Our programs serve York Region and South Simcoe residents, including the cities, towns, municipalities and surrounding areas of: Adjala-Tosorontio, Alliston, Aurora, Beeton, Bradford West Gwillimbury, East Gwillimbury, Essa, Georgina, Innisfil, King, New Tecumseth, Newmarket, Markham, Richmond Hill, Tottenham, Vaughan and Whitchurch-Stouffville.
We operate programs on-site, remotely and in the community. Please visit our program pages to find out more.
View All ProgramsOur Values
Responsive
Responsive to the needs of our clients, their families, and our communities.
Respectful
Respectful in how we meet the needs of our clients and staff in each interaction.
Committed
Committed to delivering the highest quality of care, every time.
Innovative
Innovative in our approach to meeting our clients’ and communities’ needs.
Inclusive
Inclusive in how we work and serve our clients.
Patient, Family and Caregiver Declaration of Values for Ontario
Read the Declaration of Values for OntarioNote: The term patient is intended to be inclusive of all individuals who access health care regardless of the sector. The use of the word patient should not be interpreted as excluding those who receive care in settings where the term client, resident or person with lived experience are used.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Canadian Mental Health Association York Region and South Simcoe Branch is committed to improving the mental health and well-being of everyone in the communities we serve.
York Region is one of the fastest growing and most diverse communities in Canada with approximately 1.2 million residents, representing all ages, backgrounds and interests. As the population grows, so does its diversity. York Region residents speak over 120 different languages and come from 230 distinct ethnic origins. As of 2016, 49% of residents self-identified as a visible minority, and 47% were born outside of Canada. For this reason, and many others, the CMHA holds cultural competency as a critical value in providing the best service and work experience. We foster diversity and inclusion grounded in anti-racism and anti-oppression practices using a harm reduction and trauma informed lens.
Our commitments:
Organizational Transformation:
Embedding Equity & Reconciliation principles in our organization’s core structure and governance to create an inclusive and equitable environment
Organizational Transformation:
Embedding Equity & Reconciliation principles in our organization’s core structure and governance to create an inclusive and equitable environment
Organizational Transformation:
Embedding Equity & Reconciliation principles in our organization’s core structure and governance to create an inclusive and equitable environment
We achieve this by:
- Demonstrating respect for each other, those we serve and their families and caregivers, through partnership, accountability and action.
- Building community by nurturing inclusivity with the belief that diversity is our strength, drives innovation and creates the conditions for better mental health.
- Committing to action to ensure everyone’s right to belong by embracing our individuality and identities and by valuing each person’s unique strength and contributions.
- Encouraging diverse voices and opinions through our biweekly series voices of inclusion and our numerous Affinity Groups including:
- Chinese
- 2SLGBTQ+
- Italian
- Farsi
- Russian
- Tamil
- Urdu
- People with Lived Experiences (PWLE)
Inclusion Charter for York Region
CMHA-YRSS is proud to have joined The Regional Municipality of York in endorsing the Inclusion Charter for York Region: a partnership initiative that brings together businesses, community organizations and agencies, municipalities, police services, hospitals, school boards and conservation authorities with a common commitment to welcoming and inclusive communities. By endorsing the Charter, participating organizations have committed to taking action to achieve its vision in their organizations and in the community.
