About CMHO

Children's Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) represents and supports the providers of child and youth mental health treatment services throughout Ontario. Our core membership consists of more than 85 community-based children’s mental health centres that serve some 150,000 children and their families annually. Other child-serving organizations and individuals are also welcomed as CMHO members.

CMHO is governed by a Board of Directors made up of volunteers, consumers, and children’s mental health professionals who represent all regions of the province.

CMHO's History

In 1972, The Ontario Association of Children's Mental Health Centres (OACMHC) was established by its member centres. Through the Association, children's mental health centres began sharing information and advocating for policies, programs, and funds to improve the state of children's mental health throughout the province.

The Ontario Association of Children's Mental Health Centres (OACMHC) changed its name to Children's Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) in 1999. This new name signifies a broader, more child-focused emphasis, and reflects a recognition that children's mental health centres are one part of comprehensive system of health and social services. In other words, we are part of a larger children's mental health system, and we must all work together.

In 2004, the membership of CMHO was expanded to include more than just organizations directly providing mental health services to children. Any individual or organization committed to CMHO’s goal of a sustainable system of mental health services for Ontario’s youth can now become a member.

What Our Logo Represents

The CMHO logo represents going from darkness and cold into the light and warmth of recovery/well being/mental health. Our logo symbolizes the efficacy of treatment.