Health and Community Services
March 8, 2016

Increasing Awareness of Mental Health and Addictions

Provincial Government Recognizes Stigma Awareness Week in Newfoundland and Labrador

The Provincial Government, together with community partners CHANNAL, Stella�s Circle and the Schizophrenia Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, is proclaiming March 6 to 12 as Stigma Awareness Week.

�Stigma often creates an invisible barrier that prevents people from accessing crucial supports to help them recover. Our partners at CHANNAL, Stella�s Circle and the Schizophrenia Society of Newfoundland and Labrador continue to promote education and awareness to reduce stigma. I encourage all residents to join us as we further the conversation about mental illness and addictions in this province.�
- The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services

CHANNAL first established Stigma Awareness Week to bring attention to the negative impacts of stigma and discrimination on the lives of individuals and families living with mental health and addictions issues.

�As our second annual Stigma Awareness Week begins, we are passionate about our goals and delighted that our provincial government is engaged and supportive of this important initiative. Working together collaboratively government � community partners, and communities � our aim is to bring direct attention to the need to eliminate stigma and discrimination of individuals living with mental health and addictions issues and their supporters, through awareness and understanding.�
- Paula Corcoran-Jacobs, Executive Director, CHANNAL

For more information about CHANNAL and activities planned for Stigma Awareness Week, visit www.channal.ca/ .

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador�s Understanding Changes Everything campaign focuses on challenging and changing the way people think and act toward individuals with a mental illness or addiction. To learn more about the campaign, please visit www.understandnow.ca , like the Understanding Changes Everything Facebook page, or follow on Twitter @UnderstandNowNL.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government is joining community partners CHANNAL, Stella�s Circle and the Schizophrenia Society of Newfoundland and Labrador to proclaim March 6 to 12 as Stigma Awareness Week.
• Founded by CHANNAL, Stigma Awareness Week is meant to raise awareness of the negative impacts of stigma and discrimination on the lives of those living with mental health and addictions issues.
• For more information about CHANNAL and activities planned for Stigma Awareness Week, visit www.channal.ca/ .
• To learn more about the Understanding Changes Everything campaign, visit www.understandnow.ca , like the Facebook page Understanding Changes Everything or follow on Twitter @UnderstandNowNL.

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Media contacts:

Tina Williams Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 728-2837 tinawilliams@gov.nl.ca

Paula Corcoran-Jacobs Provincial Executive Director CHANNAL 709-725-5532, 855-753-2560 ed@channal.ca

2016 03 08                             9:15 a.m.