All Canadians can take action during Mental Illness Awareness Week and beyond
—Ottawa, ON, October 9, 2014—
This week is Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), October 5-11 and all Canadians can take action. MIAW is an annual national public education campaign run by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) that opens the eyes of Canadians to the reality of mental illness. On Tuesday, members of CAMIMH, including the Canadian Psychiatric Association, went to Parliament Hill to talk to Parliamentarians to ask them to do their part.
Today, psychiatrists are asking all Canadians to make a Mental Illness Awareness Week resolution to take action on mental health in their community this year. “Every act, large or small, matters,” stresses Dr. Padraic Carr, President of the Canadian Psychiatric Association. “Every action helps break down the barriers of stigma and discrimination which prevent people from seeking help.”
Today, psychiatrists are asking all Canadians to make a Mental Illness Awareness Week resolution to take action on mental health in their community this year. “Every act, large or small, matters,” stresses Dr. Padraic Carr, President of the Canadian Psychiatric Association. “Every action helps break down the barriers of stigma and discrimination which prevent people from seeking help.”
What can you do?
Spread the news that recovery from mental illness is possible. View the stories of Kathleen Dugas, Aidan Scott, Jack Saddleback, Lindsay Hill and Mark Henick, the 2014 MIAW campaign’s Faces of Mental Illness on YouTube and pass their stories on to your networks: http://www.youtube.com/user/MIAWCanada
If you have a loved one or neighbor in hospital for mental health problems, call them, send a card or flowers or visit them in hospital.
Equip yourself with the basic mental health skills by taking a Mental Health First Aid course. Click here for courses in your community.
If a friend or family member is in emotional distress, talk to them. Open the conversation by saying “I’ve noticed you don’t seem like your normal self lately…”
When a coworker comes back from leave for mental health reasons, go to their office and welcome them back. Have a normal conversation; ask them for the latest news at home.
Let your employer or union know about the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.
Ask your federal, provincial and local politicians what they are or will be doing to improve mental health services in your community.
In any given year one in five Canadians are living with a mental health problem or illness and it affects almost everyone in some way.
The Canadian Psychiatric Association is the national voice for Canada’s 4,700 psychiatrists and more than 900 psychiatric residents. Founded in 1951, the CPA is dedicated to promoting an environment that fosters excellence in the provision of clinical care, education and research.
