Michel Rodrigue (left), president and CEO at the Mental Health Commission of Canada, and AnnMarie Churchill (right), president and lead executive officer at Stepped Care Solutions, sign a certificate of partnership while meeting in Ottawa in spring 2025. (photo: MHCC)
Over the past several years, Stepped Care Solutions and the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) have partnered to transform mental health and substance use health systems alongside governments, organizations and community groups across the country. Through a shared commitment to co-design and equity, this work has led to meaningful change—reducing wait times, improving access, and delivering more culturally relevant, person-centred care. While the formal partnership has concluded, the outcomes and relationships developed through this effort continue to inform and inspire our work.
The results of this partnership are remarkable:
62-79% wait time reductions,
some waiting lists eliminated completely
Up to 90% client satisfaction with flexible care options
and culturally-relevant services
These results continue to be supported by research and evaluation. Working in partnership with systems, governments, clients, community partners, and people with lived experience remains central to our approach. Meaningful change happens when diverse voices shape solutions.
Our successful collaboration with the MHCC began in 2018 in Newfoundland and Labrador, with the first implementation of the innovative, open-access model Stepped Care 2.0® (SC2.0) and it has continued to gain momentum. SCS has collaborated on a range of initiatives to reduce wait lists and expand care options as part of system transformations coast-to-coast-to-coast in eight provinces and territories, including the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
By fostering strong relationships, and building on impactful outcomes, we are expanding internationally. SC2.0 has been implemented in many jurisdictions across North America, multiple countries, and more than 50 universities and post-secondary institutions.
“Our dedicated team continues to work passionately on projects of local, provincial, national, and international significance to not only improve mental health systems, but to change the narrative around mental health through the application of the SC2.0 principles. This includes continuously developing and improving our existing lines of service, while also expanding to new communities, potential partners and innovative digital service offerings.” — AnnMarie Churchill, President and Lead Executive Officer, SCS
We look forward to future collaborative opportunities to work alongside the MHCC and other partners to enhance and improve mental health and substance use health service delivery in Canada. As we expand our efforts globally, our commitment remains the same: ensuring people everywhere get the support they need, when they need it, and advancing our shared vision of wellbeing everywhere.
