Mental Illness Awareness Week is an annual event that takes place from October 1st to 7th in Canada. Organized by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health, this week serves as a crucial opportunity to promote understanding, reduce stigma, and improve access to mental health and substance use care across the country. At Strength in Heart Counselling in Victoria, BC, we believe in the power of awareness, empathy, and support to transform lives. This year's theme, "Awareness, Access, and Parity for Mental Health and Substance Use Care in Canada," emphasizes the need for these essential aspects in mental health care.
Understanding Mental Illness: A mental illness is defined by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior. It often leads to distress or impairs vital areas of functioning. It's crucial to note that having a mental illness doesn't equate to poor mental health, and conversely, one can experience poor mental health without a diagnosed mental illness. Just as we care for our physical health, nurturing our mental health is equally important.
Factors Influencing Mental Health: Various factors can influence an individual's mental health, such as stress, family dynamics, community support, and environmental conditions. According to the World Health Organization, some individuals may be more resilient to life's challenges, while others face higher risks due to factors like poverty, violence, disability, and inequality. Protective factors and risk factors also include individual psychological and biological factors, such as emotional skills and coping strategies, as well as genetic factors.
Key Facts:
One in five Canadians experiences a mental health illness each year (Mental Health Commission of Canada).
More than half of struggling Canadians do not receive the mental health help they need (Mental Health Research Canada).
Over 20% of Canadians experience mental health concerns each year, but only one-third seek help or treatment (Statistics Canada).
Taking Action: During Mental Illness Awareness Week, we encourage everyone to educate themselves about mental health and illness. It's imperative that we work collectively to raise awareness, combat stigma, and provide support to those in need. If you or a loved one requires assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out for help.
Coming Soon: On November 30, 2023, the 988-suicide crisis line will become available to all Canadians in both English and French, offering 24/7 support through phone calls and texts. This service will provide trauma-informed and culturally appropriate assistance from trained crisis responders.
At Strength in Heart Counselling, Victoria, BC, we proudly support the promotion of mental health awareness and extend our hand to those in need.