Mental Health Week 2025

Mental Health Week in Canada runs from May 5-11, with this year's theme being "Unmasking Mental Health."

The societal stigma, judgment, and discrimination surrounding mental health and substance abuse challenges can weigh heavily on individuals. To avoid this, people may feel the need to "mask" or hide their struggles. However, the more they hide, the more isolated they feel. Some become so adept at masking that they aren't even aware they're doing it.

What Does Masking Look Like?

Some examples of masking include:

• Putting others' needs first-common in women and girls
• Toughness-common in men and boys
• Appearing emotionless
• Experiencing physical symptoms such as headaches or tiredness after interacting with others
• Words dont' match how one is truly feeling ("I'm fine")
• Using humour to put oneself down
• Worried about saying or doing the wrong thing

Canadians are encouraged to see the whole person rather than the mask. Let's break down barriers and foster honest, open conversations where everyone feels safe and secure. Everyone has the right to be themselves and "unmask."

How Can you Help Others Unmask?

Some ways you can help fight the stigma and discrimination of mental health and substance abuse challenges include:

• Normalize mental health and substance abuse challenges through open dialogue
• Take the lead-share your personal experiences
• Learn and listen honestly and openly
• Allow people the time and space to genuinely open up
• Speak up against discrimination and judgement surrounding mental health and substance abuse

"The more we all work together to fight stigma, challenge the idea of normal, and foster open conversations, the easier it gets for people to be who they are without fear (Canadian Mental Health Association [CMHA], 2025, p.2)" 

#UnmaskingMentalHealth

_{Canadian Mental Health Association [CMHA]. (2025). Mental Health Week 2025: Unmasking mental health. Mental Health Week 2025: Unmasking Mental Health}

Resources 

Military Family Services National Capital Region Mental Health Team
(CAF and Veteran Families; National Capital Region)
Days/Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Email: mfsncr-mentalhealth@cfmws.com.

Family Information Line
(CAF Members, Veterans and Families)
Days/Hours: 24/7
Call: 1-800-866-4546

Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP) 
(CAF Members and Families)
Days/Hours: 24/7
Call: 1-800-268-7708

CAFKIDS (Kids Help Phone)
(CAF Children and Youth)
Days/Hours: 24/7
Text: CAFKIDS to 686868

Suicide Crisis Helpline
Days/Hours: 24/7
Call OR Text: 9-8-8

Mental Health Crisis Line
(Ages 16+; Ottawa Region)
Days/Hours: 24/7
Text: 613-722-6914 (Ottawa); 1-866-996-0991 (Outside Ottawa)

Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region
(Ottawa Region)
Days/Hours: 24/7
Call: 613-238-3311

Outaouais Distress Line
(English Only; Outaouais Region)
Days/Hours: 24/7
Call: 1-866-676-1080

Tel-Aide Outaouais
(French Only)
Days/Hours: 24/7
Call: 819-775-3223 (Outaouais); 613-741-6433 (Ottawa)