CMHA Kelowna urges the community to Get Loud about mental health.
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna kicks off CMHA’s 66th Annual Mental Health Week (May 1-7) by issuing a call to action to our community to speak up and GET LOUD for better access to the mental health services individuals and families need.
“Mental Health Week is important because it gets us talking about something that affects each and every one of us,” says Mayor Colin Basran. “This week puts an exclamation mark on the need to Get Loud about mental health in our community”.
1 in 7 young people in our community struggle with mental health issues. 75% of mental illness starts in childhood. The sad fact is that less than a 30% of those who need help actually get it. “CMHA Kelowna believes in a mentally healthy community – one where people aren’t afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. A community where the right help is available at the right time. One of the biggest barriers we face is stigma that is perpetuated by silence.” Says Shelagh Turner, Executive Director of CMHA Kelowna.
It’s time for streamlined service for families and young people to find the care, connection and support they need. It’s time for youth and families to know that they are not alone. It’s time for everyone to increase their literacy about mental health and mental illness so that the focus can be on prevention and early intervention.
CMHA Kelowna is the lead agency on Foundry Kelowna, bringing together 25 local service agencies to shift the way in which youth and families access the help they need, when they need it.
Foundry Kelowna is an integrated mental health care centre opening in June that will offer youth-friendly, accessible primary care, mental health, substance use, counselling and social services such as finding housing, employment and help developing skills at managing life as a young person.
The stigma associated with mental health issues continues to lessen each year. We know that we can only solve big, complicated problems if we work together. You can join CMHA Kelowna to GET LOUD for mental health in a number of ways, from starting a dialogue with a friend, family member or even a family doctor to showing support for mental health week on social media using #GETLOUD or interacting with CMHA Kelowna on Facebook and Twitter.
About Mental Health Week
CMHA’s Mental Health Week was started in 1951 by the Canadian Mental Health Association to raise awareness for mental health in Canada. Held during the first full week in May, CMHA Mental Health Week is now a popular awareness week which offers millions of Canadians practical ways to maintain and improve their mental health while reflecting on their attitudes towards mental health. CMHA Mental Health Week events and activities are held in hundreds of community locations across Canada. To GET LOUD or to find out about local mental health week events go to www.mentalhealthweek.ca
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