Advocacy and delivery of community mental health services--do they mix? A Saskatchewan perspective.

Abstract

It is typical of the Provincial Divisions of the Canadian Mental Health Association to provide or oversee direct services for mentally disordered persons and for high-risk groups, and also to act socially and politically as advocates on their behalf. In Saskatchewan the relationship between the CMHA Division and the provincial government is described as one of "quiet negotiation and occasional publicly conducted conflict resolution". Some of the accomplishments of this effective working relationship are described.