submitted by Kevin Kapler, Executive Director, Children’s Mental Health of Leeds and Grenville
Show your support for your own mental health, and for those living with mental health problems and illnesses.
Visit http://www.notmyselftoday.ca and take the pledge today!
· We have all had days when we didn’t feel like ourselves. Maybe we’ve felt anxious, stressed or even depressed. Paying attention to those feelings is part of dealing with our own mental health.
· Now imagine living with those feelings not just one day but many days (and those feelings amplified many times over) and living with the shame, discrimination and lack of treatment and support that goes with it. That is what many Canadians living with mental health problems and illnesses face every day.
· In fact, seven million Canadians will experience a mental health problem or illness this year; that is one in five Canadians.
· Mental health problems and illness touches everyone and it is important that we take care of it personally, and at a community and societal level.
· Today, there are serious gaps in access to treatment, support, funding, research and understanding of mental health and mental illness in Canada. Stigma and discrimination are commonplace. Many who need help are too afraid to reach out due to the stigma. Others reach out but face considerable challenges finding the help they need when they need it.
· You can help change that. With your help, we can transform the way Canadians of all ages think about, and act towards people living with a mental health problem or illness. As individuals, we can take actions that lead to unprecedented improvements in mental health services, mental health funding and the mental well-being of all Canadians.
· Together, we can create a new state of mind in Canada.
· How can you help? It’s easy. First, take the pledge of support by visiting www.notmyselftoday.ca.
· By taking the pledge, you are:
Showing support, compassion and solidarity for those that have lived or are living with mental health problems or illness
Acknowledging that mental health is an important issue that needs greater attention and action at an individual, community, provincial and national level
Determining what you will do to effect change and live your pledge.
· By visiting www.notmyselftoday.ca, you will also be able to learn more about the issues and share your personal stories about mental health as well as view/hear/read others’ stories.