This is an important year for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).
It is celebrating 60 years of improving people’s understanding of mental health through its annual Mental Health Week May 1 to 7.
Local events and activities are planned in communities all across Canada. It is an opportunity to encourage people from all walks of life to learn, to talk, to reflect and engage with others on all issues relating to mental health.
“Mental health is an important part of our overall health and well-being,” said Peter Coleridge, chief executive officer of CMHA National. “We’re very conscious of our physical health but few of us take the time to focus on our own mental health, yet research has demonstrated that our physical and mental health is interconnected.”
The theme of National Mental Health Week 2011 is Mental Health For All. This year, the focus will be on topics that will help the public have a broader understanding of mental health, including: Kids Have Stress Too; Workplace Mental Health; Resiliency; and Mental Health is Everyone’s Concern.
“Unfortunately, there is still a significant amount of misunderstanding surrounding mental health issues,” said Coleridge.
‘If I said, for instance, that I was fighting cancer or heart disease, you would be compassionate and supportive.’ But if I told you that I was depressed, many would view this as a weakness and not know how to help.
“We need to change society’s attitudes and behaviours so that people with mental health problems can be supported in managing or recovering from their illness like any other illness.”
The impact of stigma is the number one reason people don’t seek help.
For more information about Mental Health Week visit www.mentalhealthweek.ca.
For details about a variety of local events and activities happening throughout Mental Health Week in the Waterloo Region and Wellington – Dufferin Counties visit www.cmhagrb.on.ca.
