The Peace Bridge, Niagara Falls, CN
Tower and Casa Loma are among sites to go green. Other notable locations
to go green during Mental Health Week include:
- City halls in Toronto, Burlington, Hamilton and Guelph
- Buildings on the campuses of the
University of Toronto (University College), Ryerson University (Image Arts Building)
- All divisions of the Hamilton Police Service and Halton
Regional Police Service
- Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Joseph Brant Hospital in
Burlington
- The 3D
Toronto sign at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square
- Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls
For a full list of lit buildings and illumination times, visit
greenformentalhealth.ca
Individuals are encouraged to take pictures of or selfies with
illuminated buildings and post to social media using #GETLOUD, as in it’s time
to “get loud” and talk openly about mental health.
With one in five children, youth and adults affected by mental
health issues, Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) and the Canadian Mental
Health Association (CMHA), Ontario Division use Mental Health Week to call
attention to the importance of good mental health and to the role each of us has
in supporting those with mental health challenges.
A goal of the week is to engage communities and individuals
across Ontario to increase understanding of mental health issues, reduce the
stigma associated with mental illnesses, and spread the message that help is
available.
“This week in particular, we ask everyone to consider their
mental health just as they do their physical health,” said Camille Quenneville,
CEO of CMHA Ontario. “Good mental health isn’t about avoiding problems or trying
to achieve a perfect life. It’s about living well and feeling capable despite
challenges.”
“Seventy percent of mental health issues emerge during
adolescence. That’s why it’s vital to eliminate stigma surrounding mental health
so that young people can be encouraged and feel safe speaking openly about the
challenges they may be facing,” said Kimberly Moran, President and CEO of
CMHO.
Both CMHO and CMHA-Ontario support the providers of accredited
community-based mental health treatment services throughout the province. These
community-based services are accessible to children, youth and adults and are
less costly to deliver than more expensive hospital-based services.
Fast Facts:
- Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition
in children.
- Early intervention, diagnosis and treatment are critical for
individuals with mental health challenges; they lead to better outcomes later in
life.
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Canadians
between the ages of 10 and 24.
- One in five Canadians will experience a mental health issue or
illness in any given year.
About Children’s Mental Health, Ontario
Children’s Mental Health
Ontario (CMHO) works to identify and develop solutions to important policy
issues affecting the child and youth mental health sector. We represent close to
100 accredited children’s mental health agencies that provide treatment and
support to infants, children, youth and families. This includes targeted
prevention, early intervention, short- and long-term counselling and
therapy, and intensive services for those with complex and/or persistent mental
health issues.
About Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
The Canadian Mental Health
Association (CMHA) works toward a single mission: to make mental health possible
for all. The vision of CMHA Ontario is a society that believes mental health is
the key to well-being. CMHA Ontario works closely with 31 local branches in
communities across the province to ensure the quality delivery of services in
the areas of mental health, addictions, dual diagnosis and concurrent
disorders. Through policy formulation, analysis and implementation, agenda
setting, research, evaluation and knowledge exchange, we work to improve the
lives of people with mental health and addictions conditions and their
families.
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For more information, contact:
Joe Kim
Communications Director, Canadian Mental Health Association,
Ontario
T: 416-977-5580 ext. 4141
E: jkim@ontario.cmha.cav