CMHA Cowichan Valley Branch respectfully acknowledges that we carry out our work on the unceded territory of the Quw'utsun Nation, which is comprised of the Cowichan Tribes with villages at Somena', Kwa'mutsun, Hwulqw'selu, Qu'umiqun, Xinupsum, Tl'lulpalus and Lhumlhumuluts'; as well as the Xul'el''t'hu (Halalt), Stz'uminus, Leeyq’sun (Lyackson), Pune’luxutth’ (Penelakut) and Malahat territories.

As one of Canada’s oldest voluntary associations, founded in 1918, CMHA is the only charity dealing with all aspects of mental health and illness. The strength of our organization is in its people. We treat all people with respect, honesty, and trust, and seek every opportunity to preserve human dignity through equality, fairness, and respecting freedom of choice. The primary focus of this organization is the rights and needs of persons involved in the mental health system.

Our Vision: Mentally healthy people in a healthy society.

Our Mission: As a locally-based champion for mental health, CMHA-CVB facilitates access to the resources people require to maintain and improve mental health and community integration, build resilience, and support recovery from mental illness and addiction.

Our Key Values and Principles:

• Embracing the voice of people with mental health and addiction issues
• Promoting inclusion
• Working collaboratively
• Influencing the social determinants of health (e.g. housing, justice)
• Focusing on the mental health needs of all age groups
• Using evidence to inform our work
• Being transparent and accountable