Local events and activities planned in hundreds of CMHA community locations across the country
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has been a champion for mental health since 1918 and has played an important role in improving people’s understanding of mental health and mental illness. CMHA introduced Mental Health Week (MHW) in 1951 to raise awareness of mental illness in Canada. MHW today offers people practical ways to maintain and improve their mental health and support their recovery from mental illness. “We all have mental health. Mental health is more than the absence of mental illness. It’s a state of overall mental and physical health and well-being. But maintaining good mental health in today’s hectic and stress-filled society is a challenge,” says Peter Coleridge, National CEO, CMHA.
“CMHA actively supports and encourages mental health for all Canadians, in all aspects of their daily lives, not only during its Mental Health Week but also through the programs and tools provided by hundreds of CMHA locations across the country throughout the year,” adds Coleridge.
It is estimated that at least 1 in 3 Canadians experience mental health problems each year. And mental health issues indirectly affect us all at some time through a family member, friend or colleague. The fact is, we are all touched in some way by mental health issues.
“Good mental health is essential for the well-being of individuals. CMHA Ontario is committed to providing evidence-based strategies to strengthen factors that promote positive mental health and lessen risk factors for poor mental health”, says Camille Quenneville, CEO of CMHA Ontario.
This year, CMHA is focusing on increasing awareness of youth mental health and mental illness by providing information, resources and the practical strategies and advice required by young people and their parents, caregivers and teachers to address youth mental health issues.
A list of CMHA’s youth mental health programs, services and supports across Canada can be found on CMHA’s Mental Health Week website at www.mentalhealthweek.ca.
Every year, CMHA’s community locations host local Mental Health Week events and activities that offer Canadians information, resources and practical ways to stay mentally and physically healthy. CMHA locations across Canada organize seminars, host open houses, set up community information booths, and hold film screenings, art shows, ‘lunch and learns’, conferences, and walks and runs in support of Mental Health Week.
Community events and activities listings can be found on CMHA’s Mental Health Week website at www.mentalhealthweek.ca.
This year’s Mental Health Week is generously supported by Medicine Shoppe Canada and Janssen Inc.
For more information on how to maintain your mental health, to find Mental Health Week events and activities in your community or to donate to CMHA, go to CMHA’s Mental Health Week website at www.mentalhealthweek.ca.