Ottawa, Ontario, Monday, May 6, 2013

It is nice to be among friends who support and raise awareness about mental health. And I would especially like to say congratulations to the Champions, who have personally committed themselves to this cause. Thank you for your service to all Canadians. 

David and I have added our own voices and are partnering around the theme of mental health because it is such an important issue for all of society, and the way we deal with this type of challenge reflects who we are as Canadians.

Canadians should not hide but rather have an open and frank conversation about mental health, because one in five Canadians experiences some sort of mental health problem each year, with symptoms ranging from minor to severe.

I believe that more people need to be talking about this.

Mental health issues are a challenge for society as a whole, but we must never forget the faces of mental illness—a parent, a child, a brother, a sister, a close friend. Someone you love.

Last March, my husband and I were honoured to be at the Vatican to attend the inaugural Mass of His Holiness Pope Francis. There, we heard his message for Catholics and for non-Catholics alike.

He urged us to show loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, the vulnerable, who are often the last we think about. He also underlined the importance of service to others, of kindness, and of being beacons of hope for those who have none.

Building on his homily, let’s show more care to those who are suffering from mental illness, because others are suffering with them. This kind of compassion is fundamental to the smart and caring nation to which we aspire.

During our current mandate, David and I have witnessed the tremendous compassion and immense capacity we have to be innovative and engaged in addressing mental health.

And this is the key: involving those with mental illness in the solution. But to do that, we have to let go of our prejudice. They will not come out if they believe that, by exposing themselves, they will be judged.

There is a stigma that comes to the forefront when we discuss mental issues. It is our job, then, to destigmatize, to create that change. And that means we all need to open our minds and learn that mental illness is a health issue, not something to hide.

There are many hopeful signs that things are changing in Canada. We are starting a dialogue and transforming that into forward momentum. To maintain this, we need to evolve our thinking constantly, to help people speak up, to give them a voice. 

Canadians have faced numerous challenges head on. They will do so once again.

When we travel across Canada, when we speak with our servicemen and women and their families, when we see young people struggling with mental illness, we want them to know that we are stronger when we are united than when we are divided, that they can get help, that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

There is hope, help is available, recovery is possible.

New knowledge in brain functioning, more effective medication and increased social awareness have contributed to more successful outcomes. But we can do more—let’s commit to an effort, small or large: volunteer with an organization, educate ourselves on mental health issues, or simply start a conversation with someone.

Mental health is everyone’s business. Let’s work together to make sure that sick or well, we are all part of the solution. No one needing help can be left out.

At his installation speech 2.5 years ago, my husband called on all Canadians to build a smarter and more caring nation. “Keener minds and kinder hearts,” as he also puts it.  Smart, caring, kind—these are powerful words. I believe this is what we want to be as a nation.