Mental Health Week 2016 (May 2-8, 2016)
Statement
Mental Health Week is an opportunity to reflect on how important it is to take care of our mental health. I often say “no health without mental health” as a reminder of this. This involves feeling, thinking, and acting in ways that enhance our ability to enjoy life and deal with the challenges we face. And, it’s as important as physical health.
We know that one in seven Canadians use health services for a mental illness; close to three million Canadian adults experience a mood or anxiety disorder such as depression each year; one in three Canadians will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives; and, every day an average of more than 10 Canadians die by suicide.
In fact, we probably all know at least one person – a colleague, neighbour, friend or family member – who has faced a mental health challenge or lives with a mental illness. Or perhaps we know first-hand.
We need to ensure that Canadians who require support have access to adequate services and resources.
I am fully committed to working with the provinces and territories to strengthen and transform our health care system. In January, we took a major step forward by reaching agreement on a shared health agenda - with one of the key areas focusing on making high quality mental health services more available to Canadians who need them.
Good work is already underway. The Government of Canada is supporting community and school based initiatives to promote the well-being and mental health of children, parents and survivors of family violence. We are investing in research to better understand the basis of mental health problems and to find better ways to treat mental health and mental illness. We are committed to being part of the bigger picture in addressing mental health and mental illness in Canada, by working in partnership with organizations that are already doing important work to promote positive mental health, prevent mental illness and help to reduce the stigma that can be associated with these issues.
I believe, however, that more needs to be done. The tragic and ongoing suicide crises in a number of First Nations and Inuit communities, for example, have clearly demonstrated to all Canadians the urgent need to close gaps in health and mental wellness. It is heartbreaking to realize that so many youth, with so much potential, feel so hopeless and alone. I am deeply committed to working with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit leaders, provincial and territorial colleagues and other federal departments to stem the tide of mental illness and suicide.
Currently, we are funding and delivering culturally relevant programs that address addictions and suicide prevention; crisis response services, treatments and after-care; and, mental health supports for former Residential Schools' students and their families. We continue to invest in the National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy to support community-based suicide prevention projects.
To truly improve the mental wellness of First Nations and Inuit peoples and bring hope to communities, we must focus on improving the socio-economic conditions they face. This is why our government has laid out an $8.4 billion plan in Budget 2016 for better schools and housing, cleaner water, food security, employment, cultural and recreation facilities and improvements to health facilities.
During this year’s Mental Health Week, let's put our hearts and minds towards setting an agenda for improving mental health. Let's work together to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness.
For those of you on twitter, use #GETLOUD to join the conversation about mental health.
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Hon. Jane Philpott Public Health Agency of Canada Information and Communications