AMI-Quebec’s name has changed a number of times over the years, reflecting the evolution of our organization. It started as ARAFMI back in 1977 (Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill), changing to AMI-Quebec Alliance for the Mentally Ill in 1984, then becoming AMI-Quebec Action on Mental Illness in 2014. As you see, mental illness has been the centrepiece of our name, reflecting our commitment to fight the stigma associated with mental illness and helping to change the lot of people diagnosed with mental illness and their families. While our commitment has not abated, our desire to strengthen mental health has grown. As a family association, we continue our efforts to alleviate the pain and burden associated with mental illness, while encouraging good lives despite the challenges it can present.

Therefore, following reflection and much deliberation, and with the aim of strengthening a message of recovery and hope, AMI-Quebec’s Board of Directors and members has approved a change to the second part of our name.

The new name is AMI-Quebec Allié.e.s en santé mentale / Allies in mental health. The refined name reflects our commitment for continued partnerships and collaborations on behalf of all people with mental health challenges and illnesses and the people who care for them.