The Dalhousie University Department of Psychiatry recognizes that individuals suffering from mental illnesses experience significantly increased morbidity and mortality. These disorders have serious and significant negative impact on their ability to function and to enjoy a reasonable quality of life. These disorders occur commonly and negatively affect the health and well-being of the community. We recognize that individuals with mental disorders are entitled to the same standard of consideration and care as any individual suffering from any other illness and that we share a responsibility to ensure that this occurs.

We recognize that individuals with mental illnesses experience stigmatization and other barriers which compromise their ability to access and receive appropriate care and that we share responsibility to eradicate this stigma and break down these barriers. As a result, we are committed to optimizing the treatment of the mentally ill and enhancing the mental health of the population. We recognize that the treatment of the mentally ill and the enhancement of the mental health of the population requires the availability of skilled professionals and the application of scientific methods to the study of mental illness and mental health. As a result, we are committed to providing excellent training in psychiatric medicine which is consistent with ethical standards of the profession and which recognizes the importance of evidence-based medical practice.

Furthermore, we are committed to the scientific study of the causes of mental illnesses and their optimal treatments, and to the scientific study of the factors which contribute to the development and maintenance of mental health in populations. The above commitments can be best realized in partnership with the following: the wider medical and scientific community; health care facilities and other providers of services for individuals with mental disorders; individuals and families of individuals with mental disorders; the wider community of interested individuals; institutions and other agencies involved in activities which have an impact on the development and maintenance of mental health; governments; industry and payers.

Therefore, it is our mission to develop and maintain a University Department of Psychiatry which is consistent with this vision and to do so in a manner which is recognized locally, nationally, and internationally.