Bill 205 2009

An Act to proclaim Mental Health Awareness Day

Preamble

Mental health affects everyone. One in five Canadians will experience a mental illness in his or her lifetime.  The remaining four Canadians will have a friend, family member or colleague who experiences a mental illness.

Those who suffer from mental illness face discrimination and stigma and encounter barriers in our communities.  Almost one half – 49 per cent – of people who feel they have suffered from depression or anxiety have never addressed the issue with a doctor.  Only 50 per cent of Canadians say they would tell friends or colleagues that they have a family member with a mental illness, compared to 72 per cent who say they would discuss cancer and 68 per cent who say they would discuss diabetes.

According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, mental illness and addiction cost Ontario $34 billion in health care and lost productivity.

Proclaiming Mental Health Awareness Day throughout Ontario will provide support to those suffering from mental illness and help erase the stigma that surrounds them. It also encourages all Ontarians, not only those who have been diagnosed with mental illness, to give consideration to their mental health.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Mental Health Awareness Day

   1.  The last day of Mental Health Week in every year is proclaimed as Mental Health Awareness Day.

Commencement

   2.  This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

   3.  The short title of this Act is the Mental Health Awareness Day Act, 2009.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill proclaims the last day of Mental Health Week in every year as Mental Health Awareness Day.