May is Mental Health Awareness Month – it’s an opportunity to shed light on mental health issues by challenging stigmas, raising awareness on the importance of speaking up or seeking treatment, and ensuring those who require support have access to adequate resources.
Eliminating the stigma saves lives.
In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the importance of mental health and wellbeing, but we still have a long way to go. We’re living in times of pandemic, skyrocketing inflation and a cost of living crisis. Many are experiencing – or know someone experiencing – mental health challenges due to increased stress and anxiety, workload, personal trauma, compromised physical health, substance use and addiction, and much more.
Every day, OPSEU/SEFPO members are working on the frontlines to provide the vital public services – like mental health and addictions support – that people need. Unfortunately, many of them are also exposed to extremely challenging working conditions, which can lead to serious physical and mental health injury.
We will continue to stand with members in their fight to achieve strong contracts and workplace policies that improve their working conditions and reduce the negative impacts on their mental wellbeing. We will continue to demand more investment in our province’s mental health services, so that the needs of all Ontarians are met. No one should suffer in silence.
During Mental Health Awareness Month, and every other month, we are grateful for Ontario’s mental health and addictions workers. You make a world of difference in people’s lives, and we thank you.