Minister Bennett wraps up Mental Illness Awareness Week

Transcript

Transcript

Hello. I’m Carolyn Bennett, Canada’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health.

As Mental Illness Awareness Week draws to a close, I would like to thank everyone who joined us in raising awareness, talking about their mental health to reduce stigma and break down barriers.

Mental illness can affect anyone - our family, friends or colleagues, ourselves. . The pandemic has highlighted the gaps in existing health inequities and has put greater pressure on people who were already struggling including racialized communities, 2SLGBTQI+ and First Nations, Inuit and Metis.

I am committed to working with people with lived, and living experience, my provincial counterparts and all our partners on a comprehensive, evidence-based plan to support the mental health of all Canadians.

If you need help, reach out. If your struggling, know that you can access the Wellness Together Canada Portal and its companion app PocketWell for free 24/7 educational content, and self-guided and moderated peer-to-peer support, as well as one-to-one counselling with qualified health professionals.

Whatever challenges you or your loved ones may be facing, there are people who will listen with patience and compassion.

You are not alone and know that it is okay to not be okay.

We know we have more to do, but by working together will we be able to provide the most appropriate care, in the most appropriate place by the most appropriate provider at the most appropriate time.

Thank you.