In a first-of-its-kind initiative, national guidance for using artificial intelligence (AI) in the mental and substance use health (MHSUH) field is being developed through a partnership between the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) and the Mental Health Commission of Canada (the Commission).
AI is increasingly being used for healthcare triage, service navigation, service delivery, and communication, but service providers, developers and users have no guidelines specific to mental or substance use health to support its effective and safe use. The recently published E-Mental Health Strategy for Canada highlights the need for safety in this field.
The new National Guidance for Artificial Intelligence Use in Mental Health and Substance Use Health Care will provide guidance, tools, and resources to help practitioners, organizations, and health leaders in efficiently evaluating and implementing AI-enabled mental health and substance use health care services and solutions.
It will also support people with lived or living experience of mental health or substance use health concerns in making informed choices about these technologies, while helping technology companies design and improve such solutions to meet the needs of those who use them. The full guidance will launch in 2026/2027.
Early Findings
Through our literature review and environmental scan, we identified 10 key considerations for early guidance, along three main themes: equity, privacy and governance, human-centred care, and trust and explainability. We will refine these findings through engagement with expert advisory groups to ensure the final guidance reflects the unique considerations within the MHSUH sectors.
By investing early in national guidance, Canada is positioning itself as a global leader in ensuring that technological innovation in healthcare translates into safer, more equitable outcomes.
