Mental Health Week is finally here and Canadians are hearing CMHA’s call to GET LOUD for mental health by raising their voices to end mental health stigma.
Since the campaign launched this morning, the hashtag #GETLOUD has been trending on Twitter, with Canadians tweeting and sharing photos of their activities across the country.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a statement on Mental Health Week, encouraging Canadians to raise awareness for mental health. “Let us use our voices this week to help change the way society views mental health issues and those living with them. Now is the time to GET LOUD for mental health,” Trudeau said.
More than 60 landmarks and business across southern Ontario will be lit green throughout the week to provide the public with significant visual reminders that this is Mental Health Week.
Individuals are encouraged to take pictures of or selfies with illuminated buildings and post them to social media using #GETLOUD, as in it’s time to “get loud” and talk openly about mental health.
The Peace Bridge, Niagara Falls, CN Tower and Casa Loma are among sites scheduled to go green. Other notable locations include:
- City halls in Toronto, Burlington, Hamilton and Guelph
- Buildings on the campuses of the University of Toronto (University College), Ryerson University (Image Arts Building)
- All divisions of the Hamilton Police Service and Halton Regional Police Service
- Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington
- The 3D Toronto sign at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square
- Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls
With one in five children, youth and adults affected by mental health issues, CMHA Ontario and Children’s Mental Health Ontario use Mental Health Week to call attention to the importance of good mental health and to the role each of us has in supporting those with mental health challenges.
A goal of the week is to engage communities and individuals across Ontario to increase understanding of mental health issues, end descrimination and spread the message that help is available.
“This week in particular, we ask everyone to consider their mental health just as they do their physical health,” said Camille Quenneville, CEO of CMHA Ontario. “Good mental health isn’t about avoiding problems or trying to achieve a perfect life. It’s about living well and feeling capable despite challenges.”