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PUBLIC PITCH

Confronting the Mental Health Crisis: It's Time for Real Talk, Canada

Let's cut to the chase, folks - Canada is in the midst of a mental health crisis that
touches families in every corner of this nation.

Nearly 1 in 5 of us will grapple with psychological distress this year alone. From
small towns to big cities, Indigenous communities to immigrant neighbourhoods, the
scale of suffering is immense.

And get this - suicide just became the leading cause of death for Canadians aged
10-24 (Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2022). More young lives lost annually
than to accidents or illnesses combined. These chilling facts shocked me speechless
too.

So why the silence? Shame? Stigma? Fear of judgement from the boss or
neighbours? I get it. But staying quiet means millions continue facing darkness
alone. The time for whispers has passed - we need real talk now.

Launched this Mental Health Week, It's Time We Talk brings Canada's mental health
emergency out of the shadows with real stories from real people like you and me.
We're premiering across CBC and Global TV plus online platforms nationwide.

The candid 30-minute feature follows brave souls across our country battling
conditions like depression, addiction, and trauma. They courageously share their
journeys through Canada's complex mental healthcare maze. Spoiler - the ending is
hopeful as they discover community support.

But their journeys can't end there. We need to rally together to demand more from
our leaders and from each other. Better funding and awareness to shatter stigma.
Reduced crisis line wait times and available counselors in every small town clinic.
Work cultures whereseeking help instills pride, not fear.

The path ahead won't be easy - but by listening, learning and uplifting those hurting
today, we can emerge stronger on the other side...together.
So what do you say, Canada? Isn't it time we talk?
Reference:

Mental Health Commission of Canada. (2022). Mental health indicators for Canada:
Key metrics of mental health and substance use for Canada.
https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/resource/mental-health-indicators-canada

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