Championing brighter, bolder, more human solutions to improve mental health in Canada.
There are better approaches to mental health just waiting to see the light of day. We are here to help uncover these ideas and bring them to the frontlines of care.
About Us
We encourage the exploration of bold ideas and innovations that are effective and human-centered.
Established by the Michael McCain family, the Daymark Foundation aims to transform the way we think about and address mental health in Canada. We are united in our resolve to measurably improve outcomes at scale.
What We Do
We aim to have a transformative impact in three priority areas:
Women’s Mental Health
Women are disproportionately impacted by mental health issues and experience certain conditions that are unique to their physiology. Yet, to date, little attention has been paid to women as a specific population of focus. The Daymark Foundation seeks to advance women’s mental health in Canada, starting with a focus on perinatal mental health: prevention, early intervention and treatment during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting an estimated 1 in 50 Canadians. Characterized by a combination of manic and depressive episodes, bipolar disorder is a complex illness that can be challenging to diagnose, treat and manage. The Daymark Foundation seeks to improve outcomes and quality of life for people with bipolar disorder.
Food Security
Food and mental health are intimately connected. Evidence suggests that the quality of our diet influences our mental health. In communities, food acts as a connector, reducing social isolation and increasing belonging. Meanwhile, stress and deprivation related to food access increase risk of mental illness. The Daymark Foundation seeks to use food as an entry point to improving mental health.
How We Work
We are determined to get to the root of poor mental health.
We are a learning organization that works hard to understand the complexities of our priority areas, and identify leverage points that enable exponential impact. Our work is grounded in a systems change mentality that connects seemingly disparate pursuits, aligning diverse stakeholders towards common goals. We aim to optimize efforts by translating knowledge to practice, scaling what works, and filling gaps through new innovations.
50% of Canadians will have experienced a mental illness by the time they reach 40 years of age.
Granting
We welcome individuals and organizations who share an interest in our priority areas to connect with us.
To discuss thoughts and insights on these issues, send us an email. If you are interested in funding from the Daymark Foundation, learn more about our grant opportunities:
Contact Us
Vani Jain
Executive Director
vani@daymarkfoundation.ca
Daymark Foundation
95 St. Clair Ave W, Suite 200
Toronto, ON M4V 1N6