Joint message from Minister Dosanjh and Minister of State (Public Health) Bennett

National Mental Health Week (May 2-8)

Mental health is an important part of overall health. Just as we can care for our physical health in a variety of ways, we can take steps to maintain and improve our mental health, and that of our families and communities.

During Mental Health Week from May 2 to 8, 2005, the Canadian Mental Health Association is promoting the theme: practice mind and body fitness. As Minister of Health and Minister of State for Public Health, we encourage all Canadians to take a proactive approach to life. Good mental health provides us with the ability to positively deal with stress and utilize the full range of our opportunities to enrich our lives.

For far too long, the stigma of mental illness has made the victim hide their suffering while society failed to adequately provide for their need. Times have changed. Today, like cancer or heart disease, mental illness is a chronic disease. It can happen to anyone and, like other illnesses, it can be treated successfully. People coping with mental illness, and those who help and support them, deserve care, acceptance and respect.

Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada work with non-governmental organizations and other federal departments in a variety of ways to improve the mental health of all Canadians. In February of this year, Minister Dosanjh appointed the Honourable Michael Wilson as his Special Advisor on Public Service Workplace Mental Health.

He also announced that The Public Health Agency of Canada would implement a Interdepartmental Task Force on Mental Health. The goal of the Task Force is to coordinate federal government policies and practices bearing on the mental health of Canadians. And on April 13, he announced a $3.2 million major health research initiative, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, aimed at improving mental health in the workplace. The Mental Health and the Workplace: Delivering Evidence for Action research initiative will support new health research teams from across Canada to work with workplace organizations to help improve mental health in the workplace.

We urge you to join with the Canadian Mental Health Association in celebrating this important week.