 This statement followed a survey commissioned by the CMHA discovered that over half of Canadians (53%) consider anxiety and depression to be ‘epidemic’ in Canada.Following the escalating rates of opioid-related injuries and deaths in Canada in 2009, CMHA developed and in-depth evidence-based policy and regulation paper directed at the Canadian government, policy markers and health organizations.CMHA gathered resources and organizations such as the Public Policy Working Group, the National Council of Persons with Lived Experience, the national provincial executive team and the national board of directors in drafting this policy paper.