Canada's NDP

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May 7th, 2018

It’s time to #GetLoud on Mental Health:

Jagmeet Singh, Leader of Canada’s NDP, issued the following statement recognizing the start of Mental Health Week in Canada:

"This week, I encourage everyone to join with Canadians across the country, and speak up about the need for timely and accessible support services for mental health.

When we talk about improving and expanding Canada’s universal healthcare, we must talk about universal access to mental health supports and services. Safe, accessible support for mental health in every province and territory is key if we are going to build a society that believes in eliminating the stigma around mental health and providing care for those who need it.

It also means we must go further when it comes to how we take care of those around us. We know that accessible and affordable housing is an immediate crisis affecting thousands of Canadians and their overall health and wellness. Safe and good-paying jobs, affordable childcare, pharmacare, dental care, the protection of hard-earned pensions and more, are all factors that affect mental health that our government has a responsibility to address.

It’s why I’m heartened by Andrew Horwath, Leader of Ontario's New Democrats, and her pledge to create a Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions.

We must also use this week to recommit ourselves to addressing the unique supports needed in Indigenous communities that also affect mental health. From the epidemic of violence and mistreatment against indigenous women, to high rates of youth suicide, we know that we cannot continue to fall short when it comes to improving and expanding access to mental health supports for Indigenous communities in Canada.

The struggles of mental health affect so many of us on a daily basis. To everybody who deals with these struggles, I send our gratitude to you for sharing your experiences, and helping reduce the stigma.

Today, I join with all Canadians in speaking up and getting loud about the urgent need for improved mental health supports and services across the country so that we can build a fairer, more just society for all."