Mr. Speaker, this week, May 6 to May 12, is Mental Health Week. The Canadian Mental Health Association wants all Canadians to know about the impact of mental illness on Canadians.
Approximately one in five Canadians will have a mental health problem during their lifetime, and today in our society people with mental disorders continue to experience personal feelings of shame and to face discrimination. The need to include and accept people with mental illness is an important social justice issue. A mentally healthy society shows compassion and has room for everyone including the mentally ill.
I commend the work of the Canadian Mental Health Association in raising the issue of mental illness this week, and for calling for respect and understanding for those Canadians who suffer from this terrible illness.