Mental Health Week 2018

Every May since 1951, Canadians have observed Mental Health Week as an opportunity to pause, raise awareness and recognize the importance of mental health in our lives. It began as a way of reducing stigma around mental illness, and to start a conversation about an often-overlooked part of our overall well-being. The Canadian Mental Health Association has made great progress toward achieving these objectives, especially in recent years, but more work is needed. CIHR is proud to support research that contributes to these goals.

Last February I provided an update on INMHA's progress on mental health initiatives, and in April, I highlighted why post-traumatic stress disorder and injury among first responders is emerging as a rising priority for the Institute. Today I would like to focus on mental health in the workplace. I acknowledge the efforts of the Federal Public Service, which just this year began tracking Stress and Well-Being and the effectiveness of the employer in raising awareness of mental health in its annual Public Service Employee Survey. As an employer, CIHR and the wider Public Service are showing leadership in the promotion of mental health awareness through these actions, but it is clear there is still much work to be done. I encourage employers of all sizes to pause and consider the mental health of their workforce, and the positive actions they can take to promote mental wellness at work.

I take the mental health of employees and of myself very seriously. Staff associated with my offices and labs are encouraged to maintain a healthy work-life balance that works for them and their families. Achieving this balance means recognizing your current needs and making adjustments as necessary. This is not always easy in a demanding, high-performance environment, but it is important to make it a priority. From a personal standpoint, I value and protect my "family time" and try to maintain healthy habits. One thing I look forward to every year is taking time off to go hiking in the Rocky Mountains near Calgary. For all the things we don't know about the human brain, one thing we know for certain is that it occasionally needs some rest and relaxation!

I'm pleased to see the commitments of senior managers at CIHR, in the development and adherence to best practices, such as their Everyday Commitment pledge, to foster a safe, respectful, and positive work environment. As I've said before, we are proud to be contributing to CIHR's activities in this area. We look forward to collaborating with other CIHR Institute partners to advance mental health in Canada.

Samuel Weiss, PhD, FRSC, FCAHS
Scientific Director
CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction

Date modified:

2018-05-08