Message from Tony Clement, Minister of Health
Mental Illness Awareness Week and World Mental Health Day
October 1-7, 2006 and October 10, 2006

Mental illness has a profound impact on our society. It affects individuals of all ages, in all cultures, all educational and income levels, and from all regions of the country.

In Canada, mental illness affects one in five people, and it strikes early with the highest prevalence in young people ages 15 to 24. One million Canadians live with a severe or persistent mental illness.

To all those who are living with mental illness, and those who care for them, I applaud your courage and tenacity.

Canada's new government is pleased to  announce the release of the report,  The Human Face of Mental Health and Mental Illness in Canada, which was produced by the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, the Mood Disorder Society of Canada, Statistics Canada, the Canadian Institute for Health Information and several other organizations.

This report provides concrete data and evidence needed for further work and surveillance. It reflects some of the concerns with respect to surveillance and decreasing the stigma associated with mental illness, found in the report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology in May 2006. It contains messages of hope and encouragement for improving the diagnosis and recovery of people living with mental illness.

Health Canada is also committed to helping First Nations and Inuit communities address mental health issues and improve mental wellness through community-based prevention and crisis intervention programs and addictions treatment.

I would encourage all Canadians to take the opportunity during Mental Illness Awareness Week and on World Mental Health Day to learn more about mental illness. Together, we can erase the painful stigma associated with mental illness.

Tony Clement
Minister of Health
Government of Canada

For more information, please visit It's Your Health.