Implementation of Upstream
Mental Health Promotion in PEI
Through coordinated advocacy and public engagement, the PEI Project is promoting the recommendations in the ASI Policy Brief — Investing Upstream: Placing Infant, Child, and Youth Mental Health Promotion at the Forefront (2022) — with the goal of creating a mentally healthy and equitable PEI society.
Activities include:
- intersectoral action upstream to address the social determinants of health;
- educating and supporting community resilience;
- and advocating for Mental Health in All Policies (MHiAP) across diverse sectors, mindful that all policies impact mental health.
While focusing on PEI, ASI is also engaging with other Atlantic provinces and national organizations, sharing its grassroots policy change work more broadly.
Funded by the Intersectoral Action Fund (ISAF) of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), March 2025 to March 2027.
Our Approach
This project works across five interconnected streams:
Shared Leadership
ASI Board, Advisory Committee, and intersectoral partners
Knowledge Mobilization
Workshops, policy forums, reports, and presentations
Capacity Development
Co-learning and facilitator training
Tool Development
MHiAP Implementation Framework
Community Engagement
Social media, storytelling, and public narrative work
Project Highlights
Policy Impact
The ASI Policy Brief Investing Upstream was developed in partnership with A Way Home Canada and more than 35 writers and advisors. Within weeks of its release, Motion 83 was unanimously endorsed by the PEI Legislative Assembly, endorsing the brief’s recommendations — a significant milestone for upstream mental health policy in the province.
Knowledge Mobilization Across Atlantic Canada
Knowledge mobilization efforts have connected more than 150 organizations and government agencies across Atlantic Canada in sharing local upstream practices and amplifying collective strategies. Outreach has included virtual and in-person workshops, social media campaigns, newsletters, press releases, and partnerships with universities, diverse communities, and nonprofits across all four Atlantic provinces.
Community Workshops
As part of the current PHAC-funded project, ASI has delivered upstream mental health workshops across the region, including:
- Cape Breton, Nova Scotia: 25 participants
- Bathurst, New Brunswick: two French-language workshops, 22 and 7 participants
- Newfoundland and Labrador: 25 workshop participants
ASI 2026 Policy Forum
The ASI 2026 Policy Forum takes place August 18-20, 2026 at UPEI in Charlottetown. The Forum is a core knowledge mobilization activity of this project, bringing together community members, researchers, policy makers, and practitioners from across Atlantic Canada to turn evidence into action.
Think Upstream PEI Campaign
The Think Upstream PEI digital campaign is a public engagement initiative funded under this project. Running June 2026 to March 2027, the campaign builds public understanding of the upstream social determinants of health in PEI and grows a lasting community committed to upstream action.
National Recognition
NCCHPP Portrait of Health in All Policies in Canada
In September 2025, ASI was featured as one of five HiAP case studies across Canada in the National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy’s Portrait of Health in All Policies in Canada series — produced as part of the Canadian Network for Health in All Policies (CNHiAP). The portrait describes ASI as a leading example of civil society’s contribution to the advancement of Health in All Policies in Canada.
ASI co-founders Patsy Beattie-Huggan and Malcolm Shookner were among those whose work is reflected in this national recognition. Patsy Beattie-Huggan presented ASI’s work at the CNHiAP national webinar on September 25, 2025.
ISAF Newsletter — Issue 1, August 2025 (Public Health Agency of Canada)
Webinar Presentation — CNHiAP Portrait of HiAP in Canada, September 25, 2025
Funding History
This project is the third generation of PHAC and allied investment in ASI’s upstream work:
Mobilizing Intersectoral Policy for Upstream Investment in Infant, Child, and Youth Mental Health in Atlantic Canada — Funded by the Intersectoral Action Fund of the Public Health Agency of Canada
Investing Upstream: Placing Infants, Children and Youth at the Forefront of Lifelong Mental Well-Being — a Shift in Policy Direction for Prince Edward Island — Funded by the PEI Alliance for Mental Well-Being
Implementation of Upstream Mental Health Promotion in PEI — a Catalyst for Atlantic Scale-Up — Funded by the Intersectoral Action Fund of the Public Health Agency of Canada
Aug 18-20, 2026
Join us at the 2026 Policy Forum
Join us at the 2026 Policy Forum on Aug 18 – 20, 2026 and take part in an exciting gathering of people from all throughout Atlantic Canada who are passionate and care deeply about creating change!