Health and Community Services
October 5, 2015

Supporting Mental Health Awareness for Families and Communities

Mental Illness Awareness Week Fosters Understanding, Reduces Stigma

The Provincial Government is recognizing October 4-10 as Mental Illness Awareness Week in support of mental health education, awareness and advocacy in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada.

"Mental Illness Awareness Week provides a tremendous opportunity to bolster the conversation for greater understanding and reduced stigmas around mental illness and addictions. Through enhancing access to programs and services for those who need them, and promoting education and awareness, we can reduce stigma and foster healing, growth and recovery."
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services

Mental Illness Awareness Week is an annual national public education campaign coordinated by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health. One of the major initiatives of the week is the Faces of Mental Illness campaign - a national outreach campaign featuring the stories of Canadians living in recovery from mental illness. More information is available at www.camimh.ca/mental-illness-awareness-week/about-miaw/ .

"Raising the profile of mental health and addictions issues, eliminating stigma and ultimately addressing the health care needs of those living with mental illnesses and addictions is a key focus for the Advisory Council. We are pleased to continue to work with the Provincial Government to deliver on this mandate."
- Sheldon Pollett, Chairperson, Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Council and Executive Director, Choices for Youth

In 2015, the Provincial Government has announced a number of initiatives to support those living with mental health and addictions issues, including:

• The Strongest Families program, which provides care to families by teaching skills through a distance coaching approach over the phone and online in the comfort and privacy of their homes;
• A new workplace-focused phase of the Understanding Changes Everything social marketing campaign to reduce stigma around mental health and addictions issues; and
• Expansions to Bridge the gAPP - a free mobile app that increases access to resources and supports for coping with mental health and addictions issues.

The Provincial Government invests approximately $100 million annually for mental health and addictions programs and services in the province.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government is recognizing October 4-10 as Mental Illness Awareness Week in support of mental health education, awareness and advocacy.
• Mental Illness Awareness Week is an annual national public education campaign coordinated by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health.
• In 2015, the Provincial Government has launched a number of initiatives to support those living with mental health and addictions issues, including the Strongest Families program, a new phase of the Understanding Changes Everything anti-stigma campaign and expansions to the Bridge the gAPP app resource.
• The Provincial Government invests approximately $100 million annually for mental health and addictions programs and services in the province.

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Media contact:

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

2015 10 05                              9:50 a.m.