Mental health and mental illness are not the same thing.

1 in 5 Canadians experience a mental health issue in any given year, but ALL Canadians have mental health. The more we learn about mental health and mental illnesses, the better equipped we are to maintain and improve mental health for ourselves and others.

Mental illnesses are health problems that affect the way we think about ourselves, relate to others, and interact with the world around us. They affect our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Mental illnesses can disrupt a person’s life or create challenges, but with the right supports, a person can get back on a path to recovery and wellness.

Mental health is a state of well-being that we all have. When we are mentally healthy, we feel good about ourselves, and we enjoy our life and the people in it.

Mental health is not simply the absence of mental illness. It’s the ability to manage the highs and lows that life can throw our way. When we have good mental health, we are better able to cope with difficult times in our personal and professional lives. We feel the sadness and anger that can come with the death of a loved one, a job loss, relationship problems or other difficult events, but in time, we are able to enjoy our lives again. Mental health is worth protecting, celebrating and promoting.

Whether you need some tips on keeping your own mental health in balance, or are looking for help for yourself or someone you care about, we can help.