Bell Canada Let's Talk Campaign - the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq Minister of Health

April 25, 2013
Gatineau, Quebec

Introduction

Good morning.

I want to thank Bell Canada for inviting me to the launch of their next phase of their "Let's Talk" campaign, which is shining a light on an issue that's long been covered in darkness.

I'm talking about mental health and mental illness.

Every year, more than one in five Canadians will experience a mental health problem or illness.

That number represents at least 20% of the people in our communities, in our workplaces, in our families....in this room.

Two thirds of those people won't get any help and will suffer alone because of the stigma associated with mental illness.

Stigma forces people to suffer in silence.

Bell Canada's "Let's Talk" campaign is shattering that silence one text at a time, one voice at a time, one conversation at a time.

But we all have a role to play.

The Government of Canada knows that positive mental health is critical to a person's overall health and well-being.  That's why we invested $130 million to establish and support the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

The Commission has offered us a blueprint for change.

The Mental Health Commission of Canada's Changing Directions, Changing Lives: The Mental Health Strategy for Canada, is a guide to help us improve mental health and well-being while, at the same time, generating an important dialogue around this issue.

Our Government is also investing in work that promotes positive mental health, works towards the prevention of suicides, addresses addictions and improves the lives of Canadians living with mental illness.

We invest heavily in these areas because good mental health is something everyone deserves.

And it begins with a healthy and supportive community.

Communities that respect different incomes, languages, abilities, races, gender and age groups are communities where people feel safe and secure... communities where people feel they belong.

I'm confident the journey Clara Hughes is embarking on will inspire more people - entire communities - from all walks of life - to talk about mental health and what it means to them.

Creating this dialogue will allow us to learn from one another while becoming a more supportive and healthier society.

I want to congratulate Bell Canada for spearheading this work and thank Clara for being the face of this campaign and for her work raising awareness around this issue. Thank you.