The CAP santé mentale

The CAP santé mentale (formerly La Fédération des familles et amis de la personne atteinte de maladie mentale – FFAPAMM) was created in 1986. It has been subsidized by the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux since 1991. The philosophy of the CAP santé mentale is part of a community approach, a movement formed at the initiative of people in the community, anchored and oriented towards the defense of member associations as an environment of intervention, activities and services to the population, appreciated and innovative.

In this spirit, the standards relating to the services and administration of the normative framework of the member associations of the CAP santé mentale support the recognition of associations as the gateway to services for the relatives of a person suffering from mental illness and who are affected by a major mental health disorder of this person (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder).

The preferred orientations are based on the following guiding principles :

• the flexibility necessary for the development of member associations;

• the development of support measures based on the principle of realizing the potential of the members of the entourage of the person with mental illness;

• the respect and valuing of all those involved in member associations;

• equity in terms of access to a base of similar services as well as fair financing and supervision methods for all;

• the continuation of efforts devoted to the development of a good partnership with all the players.

The values of the CAP santé mentale are based on the importance of not discriminating on the basis of race, gender, religion, political opinion or social status. The CAP santé mentale respects the principle of the primacy of the person, mainly in its role as a guide. Integrity, honesty, transparency, diligence and respect are the basis of the strategies that guide its actions.