Minister of National Defence video message for Mental Health Week
Video / May 5, 2021
Transcript
Each year, Mental Health Week provides the opportunity for all of us to reflect on the importance of good mental health in our daily lives, and the steps we can all take to protect and preserve it.
Just like our physical health, maintaining our mental health is essential.
And, for many of us, the past year has been particularly hard.
Our resilience is being tested. We’ve entered the second year of a global pandemic, and even though vaccines represent a light at the end of the tunnel, challenges remain and the stress and strain endure.
If you’re feeling that stress and strain, that’s ok. Most of us are. The important thing to remember is that we don’t have to face it alone.
If you’re struggling, please don’t keep it to yourself. There’s no weakness in asking for help.
The Defence Team has many resources and support mechanisms to draw on - as do your local public health units.
At the same time, if you’re concerned about a family member, a friend, or a colleague, please offer them your support.
Even a phone call, a text, or an email can make a big difference.
The theme of this year’s Mental Health Week is “Understanding Our Emotions” – it’s a chance for us to recognize, label, and accept our feelings, which are all part of protecting good mental health.
So, this week, and throughout the year, I’m hoping you will take the time to check in with yourselves – to acknowledge complex and difficult emotions.
And if you need to, reach out and talk to someone. By putting these feelings into words – by sharing them with someone else -- we can better understand and address them.
So take care of each other. Take care of yourself. And remember, we’re stronger together.