It's CMHA's Mental Health Week! May 4-10, 2015

Now GET LOUD for mental health

TORONTO, May 4, 2015 /CNW/ - It's the Canadian Mental Health Association's (CMHA) 64^th Annual Mental Health Week!  And this year, CMHA is asking Canadians to GET LOUD for mental health!

Building on last year's innovative campaign that encouraged people to talk more openly and honestly about their mental health, CMHA will again ask Canadians, "Are you fine or phine?" But this year, CMHA is also asking Canadians to GET LOUD for mental health because being phine is not fine.

Too often people claim to be feeling fine when they are not. CMHA characterizes this as being "phine."

CMHA wants Canadians to GET LOUD – to be heard, raise awareness, reduce discrimination and stigma, show support, and ultimately take action to improve mental health programs and services across Canada.

To find out how to GET LOUD for mental health and to view CMHA's new video, visit CMHA's Mental Health Week website.

This year, Canadian athletes, celebrities and musicians are participating along with first responders, military families, university and high school students and others who have been affected by mental health issues. This incredible group of Canadians are joining the cause and asking everyone to GET LOUD for mental health.  

"CMHAs across the country work all year long to help Canadians maintain and improve their mental health and to ensure that people with mental health issues receive the support they need. During Mental Health Week, we want all Canadians to amplify their voices and get loud because they have a right to effective mental health programs and services in their communities, provided in a timely manner," says Peter Coleridge, National CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association. "We also need to continue efforts to reduce discrimination and stigma so that people feel free to seek the support they need."

Men are more likely than women to develop conditions like schizophrenia at a younger age, and men have a much higher incidence of death as a result of suicide.

"There is still reluctance among men to talk about their mental health. Societal expectations put pressure on men to be strong and successful and for boys to not express their emotions. As a result, self-care and stress management are seen as signs of weakness," says Coleridge. "Our societal expectations are causing stigma and shame, and this has to change."

So this year, in addition to promoting the mental health of all Canadians, CMHA is focusing on increasing awareness of the mental health, mental illness and addiction issues of men and boys by providing information, resources and the practical strategies and advice required to address their mental health and well-being.

Coleridge adds, "We've seen great progress in awareness and in changing prevailing attitudes about mental health issues, but when it comes to implementing various mental health strategies, governments still have work to do. Our goal is to see a range of evidence-based mental health services that are universal, comprehensive, accessible, portable and publicly administered, just like other medically necessary services."  

CMHA introduced Mental Health Week (MHW) in 1951 and it is now a popular week for a variety of education campaigns, activities and events across the country focusing on mental health, mental illness and addiction. Today, MHW offers Canadians practical ways to maintain and improve their mental health and support their recovery from mental illness.

Across Canada, MHW events and activities are hosted by CMHA's 105+ community locations. Activities such as seminars, open houses, film screenings, art shows and walks provide Canadians with information, resources and practical ways to stay mentally and physically healthy. For a full listing of MHW events and activities across Canada, visit CMHA's MHW website.

This year's MHW is generously supported by Presenting Sponsor: Home Trust; Major Sponsors: salesforce, Beauty of Giving, CEDA, The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, Bell Let's Talk; and Supporting Sponsors: Barrick, ECHO Foundation and Pearson Canada.

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

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter:
Facebook.com/CANMentalHealth
@CMHA_NTL  #GETLOUD

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About the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)

Founded in 1918, The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians. As the nationwide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA helps people access the community resources they need to build resilience and recover from mental illness and addictions.

Visit the CMHA website at www.cmha.ca today.

SOURCE Canadian Mental Health Association

For further information: Carolyn Lovas, Senior Communications and Media Advisor, CMHA National, [e-mail], [phone]

Related Links

http://www.cmha.ca