Mental Health Week: May 5 – 11, 2025
Unmasking Mental Health
You never know when mental illness might touch your life, or the life of someone you love.
Whether it’s a child showing signs of anxiety or ADHD, a friend coping with depression after a traumatic event, a loved one struggling with addiction, or your own quiet battle with burnout or intrusive thoughts, mental health challenges can affect any one of us, at any time.
And if that moment comes, we all deserve care that is timely, accessible, and responsive to our unique needs. At MAHCP, we are proud to represent more than 400 mental health and addictions professionals who are dedicated to delivering essential care to the individuals, families, and communities who need them most.
Read on to learn more about mental health, and just some of the programs where you’ll find MAHCP members. Find more information about mental health services and programs in Manitoba here.
Mental illness is far more common than many realize.
In any given year, one in five Canadians will personally experience a mental health problem or illness. By the age of 40, more than half of us will have been diagnosed with a mental illness. For youth, the numbers are almost as serious: 20% of Canadian children and adolescents are affected by a mental illness or disorder, yet only one in five will receive the care they need.
Mental health is more than just an individual issue – it’s shaped by the world around us. Mental illnesses stem from a complex web of genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Trauma, racism, poverty, housing insecurity, colonial and gender-based violence, and lack of access to basic supports can all increase the risk and severity of mental illness. Too often, systemic inequities deepen the need and widen the gap to care.
The costs of untreated mental illness.
When left untreated, mental illness not only causes immense personal suffering, but also places a heavy financial burden on families, communities, and our systems. In 2021, the economic cost of mental illnesses to the Canadian healthcare and social support system was estimated at $79.9 billion.
That’s why mental health professionals are so critical, and why the services and care they provide must be supported, protected, and expanded. With the right programs and wraparound supports – such as early intervention, community outreach, telehealth support for rural and remote areas, and crisis response – comes a better understanding of mental health needs and strategies to manage and treat symptoms.
As we recognize Mental Health Week and work to ‘unmask’ the stigma surrounding mental health, we also want to shine a light on the vital services and programs available right here in Manitoba, and the allied health professionals who deliver them with compassion and care every day.
MAHCP members working in mental health & addictions.
by the numbers
- In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians will personally experience a mental health problem or illness.
- By age 40, more than half will have or have had a mental illness.
- Approximately 20% of Canadian children and adolescents are affected by a mental illness or disorder.
- Only 1 in 5 will receive the care they need.
- In Canada, suicide disproportionately affects Indigenous peoples.
- The rate of suicide among First Nations is three times higher than among non-Indigenous Canadians, and nine times higher among Inuit.
- Deaths from suicide are three times higher for men than for women.
- However, girls and young women are three times more likely than men to harm themselves and be hospitalized from self-harm.
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults between 15-34 years.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (formerly MATC)
Approximately 80 MAHCP members support child and youth mental health services in diverse roles: mental health clinicians, social workers, occupational therapists, counsellors, rehabilitation counsellors, and more.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Service
For youth (ages 6–17) in Winnipeg and surrounding areas who have complex ADHD and other mental health or emotional disorders.
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Working from a family-focused, multidisciplinary approach, the team offers specialized assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and support.
Services include:
- Behavioural strategies
- Psychoeducation
- Occupational therapy
- School liaison
- Psychology and psychiatric consultations
- Medication reviews
Tourette Syndrome Service
For children and youth (ages 5–18) across Manitoba who have or may have Tourette Syndrome, tic disorders, or co-occurring conditions like ADHD, anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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A multidisciplinary team provides time-limited, recommendation-based care that may include:
- Assessment
- Individual and family interventions
- Group therapy
- Tic and medication management
- School consultation
Long-term therapy is not offered.
Rural & Northern Telehealth Service
For First Nations children and youth (ages 5–17) living in rural and northern communities. The service provides mental health support and addresses emotional, behavioural, and psychiatric concerns through a culturally informed, community-focused approach.
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A Jordan’s Principle service provider, the Rural and Northern Telehealth Service works collaboratively with First Nations community stakeholders and government agencies to improve access to psychiatric and mental health services for those living in First Nations communities.
Services include:
- Assessment
- Consultation
- Treatment
- From mental health clinicians and psychiatrists through a hybrid model (in-person & virtual care)
Adult Mental Health Services
Mental Health & Addictions, Shared Health works with hospitals, regional health authorities, governments, and communities to deliver mental health and addictions services to adults, youth, and families across Manitoba. Working in hospitals, community health offices, mobile teams, and health centres, MAHCP members provide critical services to thousands of Manitobans annually.
Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Service (EPPIS)
Serving youth and adults in the Winnipeg region, EPPIS supports those experiencing symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, or thought disturbances — particularly if symptoms have been present for less than three months and are not due to substance use or medical conditions.
Supported by six MAHCP members in the roles of Service Coordinators & Team Leader.
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Provides rapid access to care for individuals in the early stages of psychosis, offering specialized treatment with no wait list to improve recovery outcomes.
Early intervention can reduce symptoms, preserve social functioning, and improve long-term recovery. Referrals – which can be made by anyone – are encouraged at the first signs of psychosis.
Services include:
- Medication management
- Individual and family support
- Psychoeducation
- Therapeutic group programming
Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT)
A community-based outreach program that supports individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.
Supported by ~30 MAHCP members in the roles of Service Coordinators, Team Leaders, and Community Mental Health Workers.
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A multidisciplinary team provides personalized care in participants’ homes and community settings, helping with mental health treatment and everyday needs, such as:
- Medication management
- Housing
- Employment
- Finances
- Social connection
PACT helps individuals regain stability, work toward recovery, and achieve their personal goals.
Crisis Response Centre (CRC)
A 24/7 walk-in and outreach centre that provides a full range of services for Winnipeg adults experiencing a mental health crisis.
Supported by ~70 MAHCP members in the roles of Crisis Clinicians, Case Managers, Treatment Counsellors, Mental Health Specialists, and more.
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Designed to promote healing and recovery, the CRC offers immediate mental health assessment, crisis intervention, and short-term treatment as well as support for co-occurring issues like substance use or gambling.
Services include:
- Individual and family peer support
- Linkage to ongoing care
- Collaboration with other health and social systems.
Whether someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional trauma, or an urgent mental health concern, the CRC provides timely, expert care when it’s needed most.
As many as 10,000 people requiring assistance with a mental heath crisis present to emergency departments in Winnipeg each year. In addition, the Winnipeg Health Region’s Mental Health Mobile Crisis Service has approximately 10,000 calls/contacts per year.
Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU)
The Crisis Stabilization Unit provides short-term, community-based care for Winnipeg adults experiencing a mental health or psychosocial crisis.
Supported by ~20 members working as Crisis Clinicians, Crisis Unit Practitioners, Team Leaders, Counsellors, and more.
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Designed to prevent hospitalization, the CSU offers a safe, supportive environment where individuals can receive:
- Mental health assessment
- Medication support
- Therapeutic group programming
- Help connecting to ongoing community resources.
A multidisciplinary team works closely with each person to develop a personalized plan for recovery. Referrals are accepted from mental health professionals, hospital staff, and community programs, like PACT. Supports are also available for those with co-occurring substance use or addiction concerns.