Statement by Phil Upshall, National Executive Director, Mood Disorders Society of Canada

OTTAWA, March 22, 2013 /CNW/ - "The Mood Disorders Society of Canada congratulates the government on its continued commitment to the mental well-being of people across the country.  Through many initiatives announced in yesterday's budget and in particular the renewal of the Homelessness Partnering Secretariat's mandate with a focus on Housing First, the Government of Canada is demonstrating its continued support for Canadians who may need an extra hand up and for the extraordinary work of the Mental Health Commission of Canada over the past 6 years..

As part of this Government's ongoing commitment, last year in Budget 2012, the government committed $5 million to the development of the Canadian Depression Research and Intervention Network (CDRIN).  MDSC is managing this patient-focussed Network together with its partners, The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Institute and the Mental Health Commission of Canada.  CDRIN will bring together Canada's leading mental health researchers and clinicians along with academic institutions from across the country to promote coordination and collaboration on cutting edge depression research.  CDRIN has an agreement with our counterparts in the United States, the National Network of Depression Centres.  CDRIN's mandate included both suicide and PTSD and we are very pleased to advise that the development of a PTSD Continuing Medical Education course is currently being developed in partnership with the Canadian Medical Association and others.  The benefits from this CME will start to flow to the medical profession towards the end of this year.

Thanks to the support of the Government of Canada, CDRIN, together with its many partners and associates, will help change both mental health research and the treatment of patients suffering from depression, not just in Canada, but worldwide."

SOURCE: Mood Disorders Society of Canada

Phil Upshall
[email protected]