TORONTO, May 4, 2017 - Mary Simon wishes more people knew what she does – that mental illness is treatable.
The past president of Inuit Tapriit Kanatami (the National Inuit Organization), and current special representative on Arctic issues to the federal Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, believes we need to talk more openly about mental health so that more people understand this, and start to get the help they need, sooner.
That is why she decided to join the National Committee helping to drive CAMH’s new Difference Makers – 150 Leading Canadians for Mental Health initiative.
“I decided to become involved because talking about mental illness as we do other illnesses, publicly, helps all of us understand that there should be no stigma. It is a real illness that needs good support,” she says.
CAMH Difference Makers is a national initiative aiming to recognize and celebrate people from all parts of Canada for their efforts to make a difference in mental health.
Mary’s hope is that by casting such a wide net, the initiative will create space for people from a diversity of backgrounds and circumstances to have their stories heard.
The nominations she is most looking forward to receiving are those from “any one who can articulate how mental illness touches all of us.”
She also hopes people will nominate “people like me that have had it, and have faith that this is a treatable illness.”
Nominations for CAMH Difference Makers – 150 Leading Canadians for Mental Health can be entered at www.camhdifferencemakers.ca from now until July 1st. Nominations are welcome for anyone who is making a difference in the mental health space, in any capacity, local or national.
Do you know a Difference Maker? Join Mary in helping to tell the stories of people positively impacting mental health by nominating and celebrating someone in your life. Visit www.camhdifferencemakers.ca and click “Start Your Nomination” today!