The second annual Bell Let’s Talk Day is coming up on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. Recognizing that simply talking makes a significant impact in breaking down the stigma attached to mental health, the campaign encourages people to “start the conversation” about mental health with friends, family and co-workers. For every text message and long distance call made by Bell customers that day, Bell will contribute 5 cents to programs dedicated to mental health.

Bell Let’s Talk spokesperson and six-time Olympian Clara Hughes kicked-off the national multi-media campaign on Monday, January 16, 2012. Joining Clara as spokespeople for Bell Let’s Talk Day and to help grow the dialogue on mental health this year in Quebec are composer and performer Stefie Shock and actor-comedian Michel Mpambara.

Last year, more than 66 million texts and calls were made on Bell Let’s Talk Day resulting in $3.3 million dollars donated to mental health initiatives across the country. I think this is a strong indication that Canadians care about mental health and want to be part of the national conversation. With your help, we hope to take this conversation to a whole new level.

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In a press release issued from the provincial/ territorial health ministers summit in Halifax on Nov 24th, the health ministers confirm their committment to providing better health, better care and better value for Canadians.

“Ministers also discussed the importance of addressing mental health, an issue that touches all families and the need to integrate services across government departments and agencies to improve mental wellness and illness prevention. Manitoba Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau confirmed that the national Mental Health Summit will be held in February 15-16, 2012 and looks forward to welcoming colleagues from all provinces and territories to work together on improving mental health.”

CAMIMH and CAMIMH members had submitted letters directly to the health ministers prior to the conference requesting that mental health be elevated within the 2014 health accord discussions to appropriately address the burden of illness and greatly  appreciates the health ministers prioritizing mental health in the Halifax meetings as well as the upcoming February discussions.

Read the press release here: http://www.scics.gc.ca/english/conferences.asp?a=viewdocument&id=1629

The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is requesting that mental health and addictions be placed at the forefront of the agenda during 2014 health accord negotiations. Read letter here: Letter to the Provincial Health Ministers

PDF Version

The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is proud to announce the 2011 Champions of Mental Health Awards was a great success.

Held in Ottawa on October 5th, during Mental Illness Awareness Week, these prestigious awards are presented to outstanding Canadian individuals, Organizations and Government in recognition of significant contributions in improving services, supports and programs for persons affected by mental illness, their families and caregivers.

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CAMIMH Partners with Bell to launch the 2011 Face Mental Illness Campaign which features five inspirational Canadians who prove ‘Recovery is Possible’

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Regardless of which party or candidate you will be voting for, this election presents a great opportunity for your voice to be heard. In fact, politicians respond more directly to the concerns of voters and organizations in their local riding. This is especially true during an election campaign as they are eager to please their constituents and win their votes.

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Last week the Management Committee of CAMIMH put out the following press release and letter to speak to the issue of mental illness and mental health as they relate to the Timothy McLean and Ashley Smith Tragedies.

Read the Press Release

Read the CAMIMH Commentary

The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) today marked the opening of Mental Health Week in Canada by highlighting the critical need to improve the mental health literacy of Canadians. Nearly 6 million Canadians are likely to experience a diagnosable mental illness over their lifetimes and 3% of Canadians likely to live with a serious mental illness. CAMIMH believes that increasing understanding of mental health issues will pave the way for reducing the stigma associated with this critical health issue and improving the prevention and treatment of mental illness.
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Canada’s national alliance on mental illness and mental health today welcomed the federal government’s budget commitment to provide $110 million to the Mental Health Commission of Canada for research to better help persons who are homeless and those living with mental illness. The Alliance also lauded the Commission’s plans to launch demonstration research projects in five centres across the country based on the new funding.

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