News Mental Health
Mental Illness Awareness Week begins Oct. 3; theme is ‘Embrace, Celebrate and Connect’

The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health is proud to launch the 2021 Mental Illness Awareness Week on Oct. 3.

This annual national public education campaign is designed to help open the eyes of Canadians to the reality of mental illness.

The week was established by the Canadian Psychiatric Association in 1992, and is now co-ordinated by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) in co-operation with all its member organizations and many other supporters across Canada.

“Mental Illness Awareness Week is one of the key campaigns we run to help educate all Canadians about mental illness and how it impacts our lives,” said CAMIMH co-chair Ellen Cohen.

“Reducing stigma and encouraging open conversation is the first step in making sure that all Canadians realize that if they are struggling, especially right now, they are not alone.”

“Part of the importance of Mental Illness Awareness Week is the fact that we are celebrating our 2021 Champions of Mental Health this week, and recognizing the important work they’ve done to advance the mental health agenda in Canada,” added CAMIMH co-chair Dr. Kim Hollihan.

“We want to take this opportunity to say congratulations to all of the winners, and we’re looking forward to celebrating them virtually at the Champions of Mental Health Awards gala on Oct. 5.”

This year’s theme is “Embrace, Celebrate and Connect.”

For more information on Mental Illness Awareness Week 2021 and other resources, visit camimh.ca.

Established in 1998, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health is an alliance of national mental health organizations comprised of health care providers and organizations representing persons with mental illness and their families and caregivers.

CAMIMH’s mandate is to ensure that mental health is placed on the national agenda so that persons with a lived experience of mental illness and their families receive appropriate access to care and support.