Awareness campaign 2021

Because you matter too!

According to a Statistics Canada report released in February, the mental health of youths aged 15 to 30, particularly young women, has been in steady decline for just over a decade.

In Quebec, more than 25% of the population, particularly young adults and adolescents, have increased mental health problems due to the pandemic. Among those 25 years of age and younger, symptoms of anxiety and depression have increased by nearly 50% over pre-Covid-19 levels.

At the same time, many young people are affected by the presence of mental health issues in their communities, but these often fly under the radar. Some are doubly impacted because of the effects of the pandemic on their own mental health as well as their relationship with someone living with a mental health problem. Yet they remain on the front line providing support for their parents, siblings, partner, or friends living with a mental illness. They experience anxiety, helplessness, guilt and shame. They are slow to seek help because of the stigma associated with mental illness and a lack of awareness of available resources that can help them. This affects their self-esteem, social life, academic success and future plans. They are at greater risk of experiencing failure and developing a mental illness themselves (Mental Health Action Plan 2015-2020, Government of Quebec, 2015).

It is therefore vital to continue pursuing our work to reach 18- to 25-year-olds living with a person with a mental health problem while also integrating a component for 13- to 17-year-olds.

The theme of our 2021 awareness campaign is “You are important too, so stay the course!” It aims to show young people that when you assist a person living with a mental health problem :

It is normal to experience all kinds of emotions that can make us feel mentally and physically exhausted. This is why it’s important to take care of yourself.
Taking care of yourself is not a selfish act. Your health is also important and should never be neglected!
You are an important person for your loved one!
Your skills should not be underestimated. Your knowledge and experience are unique. Assisting a loved one refers to the support that can be offered to them, not taking charge of their life.
It is a role that shows respect for your loved one and does not take away from the feelings you have for them or your respect for their autonomy.

It is possible to maintain your balance while assisting a person living with a mental illness. There are organizations in Quebec that offer a wide range of specialized services to support you!

Ultimately, we want them to :

Stay the course to preserve their mental health!
Stay the course to preserve their balance while accompanying someone in their recovery!
Stay the course , because they are important too!
Stay the course and make their dreams a reality!
Stay the course to help change the way people look at mental health issues and break the taboos surrounding them.

Thank you for partnering with us!