OTTAWA (Canadian Press) -- The Mental Health Commission of Canada has outlined the first-ever national mental-health strategy, looking to the fight against cancer for inspiration.

As the federal commission rolls out its new blueprint for governments, businesses and the public, the commissioners say they envision a complete rethinking of how society looks at and treats mental health -- much like the revolution around cancer three or four decades ago.

Officials say full implementation of the strategy would cost governments more than $4 billion over 10 years, but won't say who should carry specific costs.

The report calls for a re-organization of primary care, a better accounting of what kinds of mental illnesses and mental problems Canadians are dealing with and a pan-Canadian approach to improving the system.

That would require national leadership and eyes are on Ottawa.

While the federal government has made supportive noises, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has also made it clear that he believes the federal government should take a back seat in health policy.

(c) The Canadian Press, 2012