Surgeon General Message – Mental Health Week 2023

May 3, 2023 - Defence Stories

This year’s Mental Health Week is the 72^nd edition. This important social campaign was first held in Canada in 1951. It aims at raising awareness and changing beliefs and misperceptions about mental health.

#MyStory is this year’s theme, and its main goal is to amplify the spaces in which mental health exists across Canada. By engaging in discussions in a safe and respectful environment, your story can help others and reduce mental health stigma in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Telling a story is part of human nature and helps to build relationships. #MyStory is each and everyone’s story. On a clinical perspective, your story provides valuable information to health professionals when you need mental health care.

Canadian Forces Health Services has developed a consultation approach where the patient, their family, and the chain of command work hand-in-hand with the health care team to create a health system and individualized care plan that meets the patient's and organization's needs.

This week serves to remind us that it is very important to take care of ourselves, to recognize who we are through our story, our personal journey. It also serves as a reminder that we should not hesitate to talk to people we trust and to health professionals when we feel the need.

Merci, Thank you, Meegwetch

For more information on mental health resources and programs within the CAF, please visit Mental health in the Canadian Armed Forces (accessible only on the National Defence network) or Canadian Armed Forces Mental Health Services.

Major-General Marc Bilodeau
Surgeon General, Canadian Armed Forces