How do we build partnerships across sectors and governments while working to position mental health and substance use health care as a public good—and public right?
On this episode of The “So, Why?” Podcast, Shauna Cronin, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Communications at Stepped Care Solutions, speaks with SM Sansouci, National Government Relations Lead at the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), about bridging the gap between high-level policy frameworks and on-the-ground, community-based care. Together, they explore the challenges and opportunities in moving from systems designed to manage illness to those that foster thriving and wellbeing across the population.
A key theme throughout the conversation is the importance of building shared intent—across organizations, governments, and funders—as a foundation for meaningful and sustainable system change.
Watch the conversation:
You can also watch and listen to this episode on the following channels:
More information for this episode:
CMHA website
Mental Health Week 2026 campaign details
CMHA campaign on funding mental health news release
This episode’s guest:
SM Sansouci is the Government Relations Lead with CMHA’s National Office. Her role is to influence federal public policy. This entails everything from organizing (Parliament) Hill Days, ghost writing op-eds, publishing research, and participating at consultative tables where decisions are being shaped.
Unlike many lobbyists who come from political staff roles, SM spent the first decade of her career as a researcher in the federal public service, working on the development of legislation and public programs. She brings that insider’s understanding of how government decisions are made to non-profit advocacy, where over the past ten years her work has helped strengthen early program iterations of the National Housing Strategy, cement a legislative right to housing, and secure the creation of a $500 million Youth Mental Health Fund.
About the CMHA:
The Canadian Mental Health Association is the largest provider of frontline community mental health and addiction services in Canada. Through a presence in more than 330 communities across every province and Yukon, CMHA provides services that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, and support recovery and resilience.
Want to hear more about how the innovative Stepped Care 2.0 model supports communities to reframe, rethink, and redesign the delivery of mental health and substance use health services? Check out previous episodes of The “So, Why?” Podcast on our website, YouTube channel, Spotify or your favourite podcast apps.