Many people living with a mental illness report that stigma and discrimination causes them more suffering than the illness itself.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) has launched its 10-year Anti-stigma / Anti-discrimination Initiative, Opening Minds. The initiative is the largest systematic effort to reduce the stigma of mental illness in Canadian history. It is much-needed and long overdue.
Mental illness affects people of all ages and from all walks of life. It can take many forms, including depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. Most individuals find ways to live with their illnesses but how they are treated by others often proves to be more of a challenge than the illness itself. Stigma and discrimination are key barriers that stop people from seeking help.
Opening Minds will involve the MHCC carrying out a carefully targeted plan, based on the best available research. The plan will be evaluated over time.
In the first year, MHCC has chosen to target two specific groups:
- Youth aged (12 to 18) - early intervention can make an enormous difference over a lifetime. For more than 70% of adults living with mental illness, symptoms developed before they were 18 years old.
- Health care professionals - the medical front lines eg, doctors, nurses and Emergency Room receptions, are where people seeking help say they experience some of the most deeply felt stigma and discrimination.
MHCC will work closely with the broad mental health community of consumers, stakeholders and professionals when creating the plan. The Commission will serve as a catalyst, mobilizing and focusing the actions of others to make a real difference in the area of anti-stigma. At the same time, it will help build a research knowledge base that will be shared with mental health scientists around the world.
Find out more about the Opening Minds launch