MIRA - The Mental Health Virtual Assistant

We’re excited to share that MIRA 6.0 our mental health resource navigation platform, is now live, a major step forward!



Key updated features include: location-aware resource matching to connect users with nearby support; an expanded resource database (including Connex Ontario integration); greater partner flexibility through a new modular architecture; a user feedback system to continuously improve responses; an interactive resource map; and enhanced performance for a faster, smoother experience. 

These improvements strengthen our ability to provide timely, relevant, and accessible mental health support, while enabling more tailored collaborations with partners across regions. 

We’re also continuing to expand partnerships and grow our francophone resource library to better serve different communities, including French-speaking. 

Thank you to our dedicated volunteers for their ongoing contributions, and to our partners for their continued collaboration and trust. 

Pathway to Benefits

Elephant in the Room

Big things are ahead for our Elephant in the Room (EITR) anti-stigma campaign! A dynamic rebrand and strategic evolution are now underway, with early work shaping a bold new identity, refreshed messaging, and an enhanced website experience. Stay tuned!!

#SICKNOTWEAK

Big news! #SICKNOTWEAK has joined Mood Disorders Society of Canada!

This union amplifies a national effort to challenge stigma, encourage open and honest conversations, and empower people to seek help. With the combined expertise of MDSC and the leadership of Michael Landsberg, #SICKNOTWEAK will continue to show that no one has to navigate mental health challenges alone.

“Bringing #SICKNOTWEAK under the MDSC umbrella, we are building on a strong and impactful foundation,” states Dave Gallson, National Executive Director, MDSC. 

Supporting Veterans and their Family Members

We are pleased to offer Veterans and their Family Members free services and supports.

Thank you to Veterans Affairs Canada, The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion), The Royal Canadian Legion - Ontario Command, The Ontario Government (Seniors Community Grant Program) and True Patriot Love, for their financial support, making it possible for us to offer the following programs: 

• Level 1 – Introduction to Peer Support - facilitated by MDSC’s Peer and Trauma Support Services (PATSS) team, delivered remotely through Zoom
• Veteran Volunteer Hub –provides the Veteran and Family Member with volunteer opportunities to giveback in the Veteran community, also provides other Veteran organizations an opportunity to promote their volunteer roles. Sign up to give-back!
• Companionship Calls – receive a social call from another Veteran! …. Or ….sign up to make those calls!
• Mental Health Resources – providing meaningful information and knowledge about a variety of mental health focus areas
• Three Mental Health Seminars – if you missed our highly rated seminars, you can view them here:
• Our Journey in Mental Health - Watch Recording Here
• Recent Advances in Treatment Research - Watch Recording Here
• Mental Health Programs & Supports - Watch Recording Here
• First Step Series – The ‘First Step’ program uses real talk about real issues of mental illness and how to take the first step to recovery. Join a two-hour seminar or take the self-pace training. Both are hosted by Michael Landsberg and the program is extremely pertinent to the Veteran community. 

View program brochures: English and français.

Access to Medications for Mental Illness

MDSC remains committed to improving access to medications for Mental Illness across Canada. Building on our System Broken whitepaper and Health System Roundtable recommendations, we convened a cross-sector Working Group (WG) of 15 members. Since its creation in 2025, the WG has been developing guidance to better define what is “clinically meaningful” in mental illness, ensuring patient perspectives are central to evaluation frameworks. This work is now being translated into actionable recommendations to support more equitable access to psychiatric medications.

The WG presented at the CDA-AMC Symposium (April 2026). Five members highlighted persistent blind spots and biases in psychiatric drug reviews, their real-world impact on people with lived experience, and the often underrecognized societal and caregiver burden, while introducing the WG’s guidance, a Value Consideration Framework. With over 60 engaged attendees, including CDA-AMC leadership, the discussion sparked meaningful and timely dialogue.

Looking ahead, our remaining three WG meetings this year will focus on finalizing the Value Consideration Framework and establishing expanded knowledge translation efforts, ensuring this work translates into meaningful, system-level impact. 

The Insomnia Project

Insomnia affects nearly 20% of Canadians, yet it is often overlooked, normalized, or left untreated. At Mood Disorders Society of Canada, increasing awareness and improving access to effective support & treatment remains a core priority. In 2026, we are expanding this work through enhancements to our online information hub, social media outreach, and workplace education initiatives.

Information Hub: Our insomnia microsite is now available in both English and French, helping us reach more Canadians than ever. Explore the new French version here: https://mdsc.ca/edu/insomnia/

Social Media Campaign: Our year‑long editorial calendar continues to share evidence‑based insomnia content across all MDSC platforms. We invite you to follow, like, and share our posts by following MDSC online!

Workplace Program: We are proud to launch our Workplace Education Program, a one‑hour interactive session offered in English and French. It supports employees and employers by addressing sleep as a key pillar of mental health, well‑being, and productivity. To learn more about bringing this program to your organization, contact us at info@mdsc.ca.

If you have lived experience with insomnia and would like to share your story to help others, please contact us at the same email.

Advocacy

MDSC continues to advocate for increased mental health services to address the rising impact of mental illness in Canada. Over the winter, we held our Hill Day meetings with members of Parliament, Senators, policy staff and department leads. Our message is clear and consistent: to continue to build a strong Canada, we must ensure we look after the physical and mental health of all citizens. With the overall costs of mental illness estimated between $180 and $200 billion per year, we need to better support and coordinate our mental health system nationally.

MDSC has submitted our 2026 pre-budget submission, including three priorities we believe will help make a difference. Please go to our page and submit a letter to your MP in support.