Minister Bennett on World Mental Health Day

Transcript

Transcript

I’m Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health.

Today is World Mental Health Day, a day to raise awareness and affirm our commitment to protect and improve mental health, both for ourselves and for others.

This year’s theme is to make mental health and well-being for all, a global priority. This week, I will be at the Global Mental Health Summit in Italy, where I will be meeting with  internationally recognized leaders in the mental health and mental illness. We have been asked to highlight Canada’s evidence-based, culturally safe and community-based approaches to support mental wellness.

Working with our partners both at home and abroad, we will drive global action on mental health and together recognize that there can be no health without mental health.

Today, and every day, we are all highly motivated to learn more about how to take care of our own mental health, and how to support the well-being of others around us. By making sure that people know that "it is okay to not feel okay" we can all help to reduce the stigma and ensure people who need support receive the help they need.

Supporting the mental health and well-being of people in Canada wherever they live, is a priority for our government

If you’re struggling, know that you can access the Wellness Together Canada Portal and its companion app PocketWell for free 24/7 educational content, self-guided and moderated peer-to-peer support, as well as one-to-one counselling with qualified health professionals.

Whatever challenges you or your loved ones may be facing, there are people who will listen with patience and compassion.

Sadly, the rates of mental health related conditions and illness keep rising and we recognize that we need to do much more.

By working together with those with lived and living experience , advocates, governments, employers and other stakeholders, we can create positive change in homes, schools, and communities in Canada and around the world.

Together, we can ensure Mental Health and Well-Being becomes a Global Priority for all.