The Canadian Mental Health Association’s policies have always protected the privacy of our clients. Our privacy policy is in line with Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act. This law controls the way personal health information can be collected, used, and disclosed.
Mental Health Services Policy
Your rights as a CMHA client
You have the right to know:
Why we are collecting information
How we will use it
Who we will share it with
You have the right to refuse to give us information. You have the right to refuse to let us share your information with others, unless the law requires us to do so.
This could happen, for example, if you or another person were in danger.You have the right to ask to see the information we have about you on file. You can correct the information if needed. All requests for information must be provided in writing.
In everything we do, we try to create a sense of hope about the future, and we try to support you to build a positive life in your community.
Clients and families have the RESPONSIBILITY to:
Be an active participant in your recovery process
Treat workers with respect and courtesy
Tell us if it is unsafe for you to visit us or for us to visit you
Take responsibility for the decisions you make
Ask questions if you don’t understand something
Provide information to us about changes in your life as needed
Tell us if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment whenever you can
Clients and families have the RIGHT to:
Quality services
Be respected
Be free from discrimination
Receive a service that’s based on the Recovery and Harm Reduction Models
Privacy and expectation of confidentiality
Receive service in the language of your choice
Speak and be heard
Be free from violence
Equal opportunity
Be informed
Access your health record information
How we use your personal health information
Unless you tell us not to, we use the information you give us to provide care for you and aid your recovery. We also use it for administration, teaching, research, statistics, and compliance with legal requirements.
We share your information with professionals who are within your Circle of care. These are people who need the information so that they can care for you. They include:
health care professionals
pharmacies
laboratories
ambulance service
nursing homes
community care access centres
home and community care
If you are involved in more than one CMHA program, your health information can be accessed by the different programs, unless you tell us not to share it. CMHA raises money through fundraising. We might use your name and address to contact you and ask for a donation. We will not do this if you tell us not to.
How to exercise your rights
If you would like to withdraw your consent or restrict the way that we gather, use, or share your personal health information, please talk to your program worker.
If you have a complaint about how we handle your personal information, you have the right to talk to our Privacy Officers. You can also complain to the Information & Privacy Commission.
Contacting our Privacy Officers
For more information about our policies, to request access to your personal health information, or to make a complaint, you may either contact your CMHA worker, or one of our Privacy Officers.
Call: 905-841-3977 or 1-866-345-0183 For more information, please visit www.ipc.on.ca.
DISCLAIMER
This site provides general information only and may or may not reflect the position of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). Information provided is not a substitute for professional advice. If you feel that you may need medical advice, please consult a qualified health care professional. CMHA makes every reasonable effort to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of posting. We cannot guarantee the reliability of any information posted.
