News Release
For immediate release
The IWK Health Centre and the Mental Health Commission of Canada launch video to help combat stigma
Halifax, October 3, 2012 - An innovative video designed to help combat the stigma attached to mental illness was launched today in Halifax. “Stigma and Mental Illness” is a joint project of the IWK Health Centre and the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) The video will be used to educate health care providers and hospital staff across the country who work with children and youth.
“We know that stigma is seen as one of the key barriers preventing people from seeking help – I am pleased to be a part of an initiative responding to that,” said Dr. Ruth Carter, Director of Mental Health and Addictions at the IWK Health Centre.
Both organizations are committed to reducing the stigma that often surrounds people living with mental health problems and illnesses. The video features first-person accounts from people such as mental health patients, their families and health care providers, who talk about their experiences with stigma in the health care field. The video is part one of a pilot project being launched at the IWK to help combat stigma.
The second part of the project includes the re-adaptation of a program called Understanding the Impact of Stigma, developed by the Central Local Health Integration Network (Central LHIN) of Ontario. Related workshop materials will be revised for use by IWK staff. Beginning in
November of this year, anti-stigma training will be provided to approximately 700 IWK staff.
Micheal Pietrus, Director of the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s anti-stigma initiative called “Opening Minds,” participated in the launch event. “Opening Minds works with partners across Canada to identify and evaluate existing anti-stigma programs to determine their
effectiveness and potential to be rolled out nationally,” Micheal said. “We hope the IWK’s adaptation of the successful Central LHIN program will become a useful intervention for healthcare providers and institutions that provide services and supports to children and their families across Canada.”
Opening Minds is designed to change the attitudes and behaviours of Canadians towards those living with mental illness. The initiative is currently evaluating anti-stigma programs across
Canada to identify which are successful at changing attitudes and behaviours related to mental illnesses and could be replicated elsewhere in the country.
To view the video, “Stigma and Mental Illness,” please visit
The IWK Health Centre, located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, provides quality care to women, children and youth of the Maritimes and beyond. In addition to tertiary (highly-specialized) care, the IWK also provides primary care services. The IWK is engaged in leading-edge research, the promotion of healthy families and the education of health professionals and other learners.
For more information, visit the IWK Health Centre website:
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is a catalyst for change. The MHCC collaborates with hundreds of partners to change the attitudes of Canadians toward mental health problems and to improve services and support. The goal of the MHCC is to help people who live with mental health problems and illnesses lead meaningful and productive lives. Together we spark change.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is funded by Health Canada.
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For more information, contact:
IWK Public Relations: (902) 470-6740 For information about the MHCC, contact:
Kyle Marr: (403) 385-4050
