On behalf of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, Louise Bradley, President and CEO, made the following statement.
“The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) is proud to support the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) to raise awareness and promote important dialogue during Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW).
The first week of October is an occasion to reassert our collective belief that recovery is not only possible, it should be expected. Recovery in mental health refers to being able to live a satisfying, hopeful and contributing life, even when a person experiences ongoing symptoms.
This year’s 2017 Faces of Mental Illness embody the values of hope, dignity and inclusion – the bedrock on which recovery is built. Rachel Beazley, Martin Binette, Chris Nihmey, Brian Rose and Kharoll-Ann Souffrant each have a unique and powerful recovery journey to share. Their experiences can teach us all how to better support our family members, friends and colleagues who may be walking their own road of recovery.
The path to mental wellness isn’t a solitary one. Much of a person’s recovery is rooted in the support of schools, workplaces and spiritual and cultural communities. MIAW reminds us that we all have a role to play – from joining the Faces in the fight against stigma to helping to create safe spaces and practices that are culturally responsive and supportive of diversity.
As an individual or organization, consider signing the Declaration of Commitment to Recovery. We encourage healthcare providers to revisit the Guidelines for Recovery-Oriented Practice, and take advantage of the MHCC’s Canadian Recovery Inventory – an invaluable resource of recovery-oriented policies, programs, practices, and research.”
ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION OF CANADA
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is a catalyst for change. We are collaborating with hundreds of partners to change the attitudes of Canadians toward mental health problems and to improve services and support. Our goal is to help people who live with mental health problems and illnesses lead meaningful and productive lives. Together we create change. The Mental Health Commission of Canada is funded by Health Canada.
www.mentalhealthcommission.ca | strategy.mentalhealthcommission.ca
Media Contact:
Hélène Côté, Senior Communications Advisor, Public Affairs
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Office: 613.683.3952
Mobile: 613.857.0840
hcote@mentalhealthcommission.ca
