About CMHA
The CMHA Central Alberta Region was founded in 1964. Like the other eight Alberta regional branches, we are separately incorporated as a non-profit charity and respond to grass root needs. Over the past thirty years we have played a major role in addressing the education, housing, income, and support needs of our community and the individuals with mental illness, brain injuries and addiction living in Central Alberta.
CMHA Central Alberta Storage of Records and Files Policy
CMHA Central Alberta Conflict Resolution Policy
Client Code of Conduct and Complaint Procedure Policy
Our Charity # is 89150 2148 RR0001.
T3010 Registered Charity Infomation
You can read about the history of CMHA nationally here.
Mission Statement
To provide community-based, recovery-focused services (for people living with mental illness, brain injury, and addictions) that respond and adapt to the mental health needs of Central Albertans.
Our Goals
- To advocate for the best possible care, rehabilitation, and recovery for individuals
- To promote best practices based on current research
- To promote mental health and wellness through education
Core Values
Person-Centred:
We respect the fundamental rights, dignity, and worth of all people. We recognize that individuals are the experts on their own lives, and value these voices. We provide access to a diverse range of mental health approaches in order to expand the awareness of options to facilitate healing, self-sufficiency, and success as defined by individuals who guide their own decision-making process.
Community-Driven:
We collaborate with other organizations, partners, and community leaders to best meet the needs of those seeking support and healing. We engage and train volunteers to champion our cause, empowering citizens to support citizens and ultimately reflect our vision for a healthy society.
Principled:
We hold ourselves accountable to both our colleagues and those we serve by offering inclusive, evidence-based information on mental health. We lead by example, modeling professionalism and integrity in every aspect of our work. We respect confidentiality, an individual’s right to privacy, informed choice, self-determination and autonomy. We are pragmatic, mindful, balanced and compassionate in the performance of our work, while understanding our obligations to our clients and our community at large.
Purposeful:
We believe in creating a positive, lasting impact on our community. We remain committed to fairness and respect for all, empowering and safeguarding fairness and respect for all people no matter their circumstance. We are resilient, proactive, and driven to succeed in advocating for mental health for all. Our mission is to act as a bridge in connecting and mobilizing Central Albertan communities in racial and social justice through engagement, advocacy, and community building, both individually and systemically.
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Our Locations
Canadian Mental Health Association
Central Region Main Office
5017 50th Avenue
Red Deer, Alberta T4N 4B2
Executive Director, Giselle Kutrowski
Board of Directors
Chair, Lynne Mulder
Vice Chair, Finance, Beth Callihoo
Vice Chair, Governance, Mary Gardiner
Vice Chair, Social Advocacy, Meagan Parisian (interim)
Director of Governance, Danielle Bustamante
Director of Social Advocacy, Dieulita Datus-Hall
Sannie McCrady
Life Member
Dr. Norm Costigan
Life Member
Annual Report, 2019-2020
2020 has been an unprecedented year. From a global pandemic to social injustices to community tragedies, the mental health of Central Albertans has been
under fire from every direction. CMHA Central Alberta is honoured to walk alongside our community members in the search for balance in these difficult times.
Our Crisis Counselor served 150 people in 2019 and that number was at 165 already by the end of August this year.
Our Learning Centre moved to a new location at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and then quickly transitioned to on-line services, serving a record number of local participants as well as people from out of Province and out of Country. With the success of these online practices, we plan to keep these options in place long-term so that we can continue to eliminate barriers in providing services.
Our Permanent Supportive Housing program moved to a new location last year, with the ability to house more people. Our Grand Opening was an exciting event, celebrating past successes and future opportunities!
As we have seen this year, the future is uncertain, but our commitment to mental health for the people of Central Alberta has not changed. We are here to advocate for our community members and reach towards the CMHA motto. Thank you for your continued support for the work we do. We couldn’t do it without you.
#mentalhealthforall
Giselle Crawford, Executive Director
Our Impact
Systems Navigation
- 191 individuals served in 2020 to August 31
- 90% of clients needed less than 3 hours of assistance
- ” I can’t thank you enough for your time and compassion shown to me this morning; you have given me strength today.”
- “I didn’t know it was heavy until I didn’t have to carry it any more.” speaking of the things that had gone undone in regards to managing debt and bills.
Crisis Counselor
- 150 individuals served in 2019
- 165 clients served in 2020 through August 31
- ” You always help me find the answer; you’re an angel.”
Alberta Brain Injury Network
- 143 clients served 2019-2020
The Learning Centre
- 200—230 participants each month
- About 50 courses offered each month
- “ It was a very good group. It was fun and informative.” ” Grateful to have this.”
Programs and Services
Crisis Counselor
Provides support to those individuals having an immediate mental health crisis.
Alberta Brain Injury Network
Provides support, coordination, and education to adults with an acquired brain injury and their families.
The Learning Centre
Provides educational programming related to recovery, resilience, and hope.
Amethyst House
Provides 24 hour permanent supported housing for individuals with a history of homelessness related to addictions, mental health and/or brain injury.
Pathways to Housing
Provides 24-hour permanent supported housing for individuals living with severe mental health and addictions that have support through Alberta Health Services, as well as case managers and other 24-hour support workers.
| STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS | |||
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 | |||
| 2020 | 2019 | ||
| REVENUE | |||
| Government support | 2,788,758 | 2,672,095 | |
| Public support | 325,962 | 285,011 | |
| Other revenues | 59,757 | 1,444 | |
| Amortization of deferred contributions | 8,244 | 8,201 | |
| Interest income | 6,936 | 6,626 | |
| Total revenue | 3,189,657 | 2,973,377 | |
| EXPENSES | |||
| Salaries and benefits | 2,151,997 | 2,111,534 | |
| Other program expenditures | 611,486 | 626,477 | |
| Operating expenses | 273,852 | 267,202 | |
| Building occupancy | 111,295 | 101,309 | |
| Total expenses | 3,148,630 | 3,106,522 | |
| EXCESS (DEFICIENCY) OF REVENUE OVER EXPENSES BEFORE OTHER ITEMS | 41,027 | – 133,145 | |
| OTHER ITEMS | |||
| Loss on disposal of capital assets | – 7,939 | – | |
| EXCESS (DEFICIENCY) OF REVENUE OVER EXPENSES | 33,088 | – 133,145 | |
| Complete audited financial statements are available upon request. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
A: No. CMHA is a national non-profit organization with national, provincial and local offices.
A: CMHA – Central Alberta Region shares a common vision to deliver community mental health services and promote awareness and advocacy about mental health issues; however, independent regions and branches such as ours are largely autonomous. The independence of each local office allows us to provide programs and services that best suit the needs of our communities.
A: Yes. There are more than 135 offices. Find a complete listing of these here.
A: CMHA is an independent, non-profit, charitable organization that has been operating in Canada since 1918 and in Central Alberta since 1964. CMHA is dedicated to promoting mental health and wellness through a comprehensive range of community-based services for individuals, families, groups and organizations.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is a commission created by the Federal Government in 2007 to promote mental health in Canada and work with stakeholders to change attitudes of Canadians toward mental health problems and to improve services and support.
A: No. CMHA provides community-based support services, not medical care. We can, however give referrals to other organizations where you can get help. Please see our services for a complete list of our programs and services.
No. You can get treatment by a physician or a therapist for mental health or addiction through Alberta Health Services, Addictions and Mental Health. We can also refer you to a variety of not-for-profit community agencies for counselling.
- Alberta Health Services, Mental Health, 47333 – 49 Street, Red Deer 403-340-5466
- Alberta Health Services, Addictions, #104, 4920 – 51 Street, Red Deer 403-340-5274
A: Yes. Our staff can help people using our services with a large number of concerns requiring individual advocacy. Our Board of Directors and staff are involved with systems change advocacy locally, provincially, and nationally.
Scent Free Policy
In recognition of potential health risks, CMHA-Central Alberta has developed a scent free policy. Staff and visitors are asked to refrain from using or wearing scented products when entering this workplace. A list of commonly scented products covered under this policy is available upon request. Thank you for your consideration.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has provided the following information on the Scent Free Policy for the Workplace page on their website at: https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/scent_free.html
Scents are included in a very large range of products including:
- shampoo and conditioners
- hairsprays
- deodorants
- colognes and aftershaves
- fragrances and perfumes
- lotions and creams
- potpourri
- industrial and household chemicals
- soaps
- cosmetics
- air fresheners and deodorizers
- oils
- candles
- diapers
- some types of garbage bags
- laundry fragrance beads and dryer sheets
It is important to remember some products which claim to be ‘scent free’ may have only masked the scent by use of an additional chemical. Be sure to research the product carefully if using scented products around those who are sensitive.
When scented products have been blamed for adversely affecting a person’s health, some or all of the following symptoms are reported:
- headaches
- dizziness, lightheadedness
- nausea
- fatigue
- weakness
- insomnia
- malaise
- confusion
- loss of appetite
- depression
- anxiety
- numbness
- upper respiratory symptoms
- shortness of breath
- difficulty with concentration
- skin irritation
Allergic and asthmatic patients, as well as those with other conditions, report that certain odours, even in the smallest amounts, can trigger an attack.
The severity of these symptoms can vary. Some people report mild irritation while others are incapacitated and/or must give up many ‘normal’ activities in order to avoid exposure (such as going to public places).
