Are you prepared for Mental Health Week?

It is estimated that at least one in three Canadians experiences mental health problems each year. And mental health issues indirectly affect us all at some time through a family member, friend or colleague. The fact is, we are all touched in some way by mental health issues.

“We all have mental health. Mental health is more than the absence of mental illness. It’s a state of overall mental and physical health and well-being. But maintaining good mental health in today’s hectic and stress-filled society is a challenge,” says Peter Coleridge, national CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

This year, the CMHA is focusing on increasing awareness of youth mental health and mental illness by providing information, resources and the practical strategies and advice required by young people and their parents, caregivers and teachers to address youth mental health issues.

A list of CMHA’s youth mental health programs, services and supports across Canada can be found on the CMHA’s MHW website.

The week was introduced by the CMHA in 1951 to raise awareness of mental illness in Canada. MHW today offers people practical ways to maintain and improve their mental health and support their recovery from mental illness. People from all walks of life are encouraged to learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on all issues relating to mental health and mental illness during MHW.

Read more:

• Mental health literacy a concern
• Take an integrated approach to workplace mental health
• The elephant and the iceberg: Mental health in the workplace
• Mental health standard gets strong employer support
• Overcoming the mental health stigma