Recommendations from the Citizens Reference Panel on the Mental Health Action Plan for Canada /

Throughout the first half of 2015, the Com- mission had been consulting stakeholders and those with lived experience about a new Mental Health Action Plan for Canada, a document that would build on the momentum of the last decade which saw the release of the landmark Senate Committee Report Out of the Shadows At Last (2006), the creation of the Mental Health Strategy for Canada (published after ex [...] The 36 members of the Citizens Reference Panel were asked to work together to identify the issues and actions that are most urgent for Can- ada, and the results that people, organizations, and governments should focus on achieving together in the next five years. [...] Their report calls for broad adoption of the recently released recovery guidelines, for the use of financial levers that lead to more client-directed care planning and decision making, and for the appointment of those living in recovery to positions of leadership throughout the mental health care system. [...] Meet the Members of the Citizens Reference Panel on the Mental Health Action Plan for Canada The thirty-six randomly selected members of the Citizens Reference Panel on the Mental Health Action Plan for Canada broadly match the demographic profile. [...] I chose to participate in the Citizens Reference Panel because I have experienced a suicide and other mental health issues in my family and I am motivated to do my part to in helping shape the plan for improving mental health in Canada.