Surgeon General’s message for Bell Let’s Talk 2021
Video / January 26, 2021
Transcript
I am Major-General Marc Bilodeau, Surgeon General of the Canadian Armed Forces. The COVID-19 global pandemic has impacted each of our lives, in many different ways. The impact of the pandemic is obvious as shown by how differently we conduct daily tasks in our society. Physical distancing has replaced crowds of people and mask wearing is the new normal. The pandemic has taken a toll on many people’s well-being, and in some cases this extends to challenges with their mental health. As our physical interactions have decreased, the need to stay virtually connected with each other has become more important than ever.
Un corps sain et un esprit sain sont nécessaires à l’atteinte d’une bonne santé globale. Nous devons accepter qu’il revient à nous de surveiller nos habitudes de vie et de déterminer les changements à apporter, au besoin. Le modèle du continuum de la santé mentale, accessible sur le site Web et l’application d’En route vers la préparation mentale, est un outil conçu pour vous aider dans cette démarche. Vous y trouverez des renseignements et des conseils supplémentaires en fonction de la couleur vous correspondant déterminée par votre autoévaluation. Ne pas reconnaître les signes de la maladie mentale chez soi et chez les autres n’est qu’un obstacle parmi tant d’autres qui empêchent certaines personnes de demander du soutien et des soins. Nous avons tous un rôle à jouer pour éliminer ces obstacles. Il nous faut donc agir pour accroître la sensibilisation aux maladies mentales et faire notre part pour réduire la stigmatisation en parlant ouvertement de la santé mentale.
As we participate in the 11th annual Bell Let’s Talk Campaign, we want people to know that “When it comes to mental health, now more than ever, every action counts.” Your actions can make a profound difference in your own life and in the lives of others. Talk to family, friends, colleagues or support and health care professionals if you need someone to listen. Keep an eye on your peers during these difficult times. Provide a list of resources to someone who is struggling, offer to help them with a task, or ask them if they need a break, because maybe they simply have too much on their plate. There is a wide variety of mental health and wellness resources available to Canadian Armed Forces members, the cornerstone of which is access to a comprehensive, evidence-based, interdisciplinary mental health system founded in primary care and augmented by specialty health care teams. Psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, mental health nurses, addiction counsellors, chaplains, and community health care providers are available to provide support when you need it. I encourage civilian personnel to use Employee Assistance Services and Canadian Armed Forces members and their families to use the Canadian Forces Members Assistance Program: these confidential support and crisis services are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Know that you are never alone, and that help is always available to keep our Defence Team healthy.
Enfin, les superviseurs jouent un rôle essentiel lorsqu’il est question du bien-être des employés, et ils ont la responsabilité de protéger non seulement la santé et la sécurité de leur personnel, mais aussi leur santé mentale. J’encourage donc tous les gestionnaires et les superviseurs à montrer l’exemple, en s’occupant de leurs collègues, tant sur le lieu de travail qu’en contexte de travail à distance, en maintenant un dialogue ouvert avec leurs employés, en adoptant un mode de vie sain et en appliquant de saines pratiques de gestion, tout en s’assurant de bien comprendre les comportements qui favorisent des équipes et un milieu de travail positifs et sains. Ces actions sont primordiales pour optimiser la santé mentale liée au travail.
We are proud to be part of this Bell Let’s Talk initiative to support mental health because the wellness of all Defence Team members is a departmental priority. Make it your priority too and take some time to participate in this year’s Bell Let’s Talk Day. Help us support mental health, because together, we can all make a difference.
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