Message from the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health

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Mental Illness Awareness Week

October 2nd to 8th, 2011

Mental illness touches the lives of many Canadians. It can have a profound effect on an individual's overall health, family and friends, as well as on their education, employment, and productivity. The stigma of mental illness often prevents Canadians from seeking help to address the symptoms associated with it.

As Minister of Health, I strongly believe in the importance of maintaining and improving the mental health of all Canadians, and in working to ensure that Canadians who experience mental illness receive the help they need. In 2007, the Government of Canada provided funding of $130 million, over 10 years, to establish and support the Mental Health Commission of Canada. The Commission is also working to develop a national mental health strategy by 2012.

In Canada, estimates indicate that at least one in five Canadians will experience a mental illness in a lifetime. The government is working to change this trend by investing in initiatives that promote mental health and improve the lives of Canadians living with mental health issues. The following are the most recent initiatives: 

• Investments of over $79.7 million, in 2009 and 2010, in mental health and addiction research
• Investments of over $27 million to support community-based projects to reduce health inequalities among children, youth, and families at risk for mental health issues
• Surveillance by the Public Health Agency of Canada to track the extent and impact of mental illness
• Mental health and addictions services provided to First Nations and Inuit communities through the following Health Canada initiatives:
  • Investments of $75 million over five years (2010-2015) in the National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy
  • Community-based programs, such as Brighter Futures and Building Healthy Communities to support improved mental health, child development, parenting skills, healthy babies, as well as to address mental health crises
  • Support for former Indian Residential Schools students and their families through the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program
  • A network of 58 treatment centres and more than 550 community-based prevention programs through the National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program and the National Youth Solvent Abuse Program.

Throughout October, I encourage all Canadians to learn more about mental illness and to support those affected by it. We need to talk openly about mental illness and to encourage those who suffer from its effects to seek appropriate help.

Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
Government of Canada