Mental Health Week 2011 (May 1-7)
Mental health is one of the key topics in my world. It was in 2009 that I decided, after my incredibly brave and strong close friend Airdrie Miller organized a Northern Voice panel on Coping Digitally, that I would be co-organizing an unconference on mental health and social media, Mental Health Camp, one that I co-organize with my amazing good friend Isabella Mori. So, when I see issues around mental health, I’m always keen to write about them.
By the way, did you know that this year Mental Health Camp is organized around the topic of Diversity in Mental Health?. So, anyhow, May is Mental Health Month, and Mental Health Week is coming up next week, May 1 through 7, organized by the Canadian Mental Health Association. From their media kit:
About one in five people – over six and a half million Canadians – experience a mental disorder during their lifetime. Unfortunately, many people don’t ask for help because they feel ashamed or scared. People may judge them and treat them negatively based on a mental health problem. Others have trouble finding a place to live, finding a job, maintaining relationships and other important parts of life. In fact, most people living with a mental disorder say that stigma is worse than the symptoms they feel.
Stigma originally meant a physical mark of shame. Now, it’s an invisible mark that sets you apart from others. The problem with the word ‘stigma’ is that it puts the focus on the person’s difference instead of on the people who are setting them apart. Using the word stigma makes it seem different than racism, homophobia or sexism. It isn’t. So it’s time to talk about stigma for what it really is: prejudice and discrimination. Prejudice is holding negative attitudes or beliefs about people who are viewed as different. Discrimination is acting on these ideas or beliefs.
I’m working hard to break down stigmas not only around mental health but also around queer issues, homelessness and other topic areas that I’m passionate about. So I do hope you take some time to reflect and participate on events during Mental Health Week, and please help spread the word.
Related posts:
- Mental Health Week 2012 (May 7-13) Canadian Mental Health Association
- Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct 2-8th, 2011)
- Mental Health Camp Vancouver 2011: Diversity in Mental Health
- Mental Health Week May 3rd to 7th
- Opening Minds (Mental Health Commission of Canada)
[...] Pacheco reminds us that next week is also Mental Health Week. While other health-related causes like fighting cancer certainly deserve our attention, we [...]