Health Minister Terry Lake issued the following statement today in recognition of World Mental Health Day.

"With one in every five adults diagnosed with a mental disorder during their lifetime, mental illness is the number one cause of disability in Canada, and yet it is often not discussed and remains poorly understood by many.

"World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for us to learn and talk about mental health problems and to understand that mental illness can affect all of us - regardless of our age or background.

"Our ten-year plan to address mental health and substance use (Healthy Minds, Healthy People) aims to reshape how we think about, talk about, and approach mental health and substance use throughout our lives.

"Our government continues to build a comprehensive system of mental health and substance-use services across the province using evidence-based treatment options and through continued investments in the expansion and upgrades of B.C.'s mental-health facilities.

"This includes 13 assertive community treatment (ACT) teams located throughout the province, which provide flexible, community-based support for adults with serious and persistent mental illness who do not respond well to traditional outpatient services.

"Additional investments in new mental health facilities include over $82 million for the Joseph and Rosalie Segal Family Health Centre at Vancouver General Hospital and over $62 million for the HOpe Centre at Lion's Gate Hospital - to provide the best possible care for clients and their families who benefit from hospital care and outpatient services.

"We have also continued to increase the number of community mental-health and substance-use beds and have more physicians and psychiatrists providing mental-health services than ever before.

"Good mental health is much more than the absence of a mental illness. It enables people to experience life as meaningful, supports physical health and well-being, and contributes to improved social connections."

To learn about government's ten-year plan to address mental health and substance use in British Columbia, visit: www.health.gov.bc.ca/healthy-minds/

To find out more about mental illness and substance use problems, visit the Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division website at: www.cmha.bc.ca

Media contact:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)