The Canadian Mental Health Association (Saskatchewan Division) Inc. is a volunteer-based organization which supports and promotes the rights of persons with mental illness to maximize their full potential; and promotes and enhances the mental health and well-being of all members of the community,  CMHA Sask is a provincial organization, affiliated with CMHA National.  Saskatchewan has eight Branches that offer a variety of programs and services in education, advocacy and service.

The Board of CMHA Saskatchewan sets the purpose:for the organization:

• fight to reduce the stigma of mental illness through public education
• provide educational opportunities to help the public understand mental health issues
• provide services to schools, communities and individuals promoting Mental Health for everyone
• advocate for consumers of mental health service

“Consumers” is the term that CMHA uses to recognize persons who live with the experience of mental illness, emotional distress, and may or may not use the services of the formal mental health system.  I (Jayne) have been a consumer of mental health services since 1965 and active with CMHA since 1975.  Other groups I belong to prefer terms like psychiatric survivor, ex-patient, thriver.  “Person” and “citizen” recognize that we are more than our illness.