The Canadian Mental Health Association promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness. The CMHA accomplishes this mission through advocacy, education, research and service.

Since 1951, the first week in May has been designated Mental Health Week in Canada.  Initial public education activities included visits by the public to the mental hospitals in “Come and See Tours.” Schools organized poster and essay contests and background articles were prepared for local media.  In those early days, churches were invited to conduct special services and sermons on mental health.   And during the course of the next 59 years, Canadians were to see a dramatic increase in mental health awareness as a result of CMHA’s extensive branch activities across the country.

Today, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) creates an annual Mental Health Week theme and produces materials that are made available “at no cost” to their branches and at minimal cost to the public.  This year’s 59^th annual Mental Health Week 2010 promotes the theme “Building Your Mental Health One Support at a Time.” Television and radio PSA’s have been produced and aired in every major city across Canada during Mental Health Week.   Go to www.cmha.ca to view this year’s video PSA which is also available for viewing on YouTube.

Five cities across Canada (Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver) will be handing out stress cards to the public on one lunch hour of Mental Health Week to raise awareness about mental health and the week itself.  CMHA branches across the country also hold various events during the first week in May, including: breakfasts, luncheons, speaking events, runs, art shows, etc.   For the past five years, Mental Health Week has been sponsored by Desjardins Financial Services (DFS).   Corporate sponsorship remains an important variable as donors provide the funds for the creation of educational material and resources.

This year’s Mental Health Week 2010 will witness the launch of the first-ever mental health Facebook page.  Canadians can measure their own stress levels by taking the “Mood Detector” test at www.mooddetector.ca or on the National Mental Health Week Facebook page “Canadian Mental Health/Sante mentale des Canadiens.”   Canadians can also receive tips on how to enhance their own mental health by subscribing to the National Mental Health Week’s Twitter (CANMentalHealth.)

This year’s Mental Health Week 2010 theme “Building Your Mental Health: One Support at a Time” reflects CMHA’s ongoing message to the public to:

1. Cultivate supportive relationships to face tough times with resilience
2. Identify your best method of controlling stress: exercise, meditation, friends, doing things you enjoy doing
3. Learning to prioritize the things in your life and saying “No” when you need to
4. Communicating your needs to your manager or supervisor to ensure you have the supportive workplace you require to work efficiently and productively
5. Ask friends, family and work colleagues for help when you need it
6. Get to know your neighbours and community so you can be of help to someone else who may need support and friendship
7. Slow down, take one day at a time and enjoy the moment

Have a great Mental Health Week!!!!

Author: Lorne Zon, CEO, CMHA, Ontario.The Canadian Mental Health Association promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness. The CMHA accomplishes this mission through advocacy, education, research and service.