Manitoba is welcoming leading mental-health researchers,
government representatives and other stakeholders dedicated to the many issues
related to mental health and mental illness as part of a national summit,
Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“Manitoba is pleased to host this important summit where
we will hear the most recent scientific research on promoting mental health and
preventing mental illness,” he said.
“Some of the most compelling research tells us there may be ways to
prevent and reduce the incidence of mental illness, which has the potential to
improve the quality of life for many individuals and families, and affect the
way that we all tackle this important issue.”
The first day of the summit will include sessions on
social determinants of mental health, opportunities to prevent mental illness,
indigenous and cultural approaches to mental health, the economics of mental-health
promotion and effective approaches for families, schools, workplaces and
communities. The second day will provide
opportunities for participants to discuss ways to better improve the mental
health of Canadians through promotion and prevention.
During the Council of the Federation meeting in Vancouver
in the summer of 2011, the premier committed to hosting this summit as an
opportunity to share experiences and expertise related to mental health. Nearly 300 participants with backgrounds in
education, child welfare, health care, addictions and social services are
expected to attend, as mental health issues are addressed by many
partners.
“Every jurisdiction has made important strides forward,
but it’s clear the work to be done is best tackled by individuals, communities
and governments working together,” noted the premier.
Keynote speakers include Dr. Lynne Friedli, who has
worked on mental-health promotion with the World Health Organization and Dr.
Carl Bell, an American psychiatrist who served on the Institute of Medicine
Committee on the Prevention of Mental Disorders and Substance Abuse Among
Children, Youth and Young Adults.
Mental-health problems and illnesses affect people of all
ages, from all walks of life and touch the life of every Manitoban in one way
or another; one in four Manitobans experiences at least one mental illness
diagnosis over a five-year period, said Selinger.
Most mental illness begins in childhood or adolescence. Healthy Child Manitoba provides a strategy that involves many government departments along with community partners in promoting good mental health from childhood to adolescence. More information about Manitoba’s strategic five-year plan, focused on the mental health and well‑being of Manitobans, is available at www.gov.mb.ca/health/mh/docs/challenge.pdf.
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