World Mental Health Day - Member's Statement

MS. CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark World Mental Health Awareness Day. I stand as someone whose life has been profoundly impacted by the mental health struggles and triumphs of some of those nearest and dearest to me. I've watched family, friends, colleagues, and so many others struggle.

A common thread of these stories has been the challenge of accessing treatment. Partially due to the lack of resources, but also because mental illness is so difficult to treat, in part due to the continuing stigma surrounding mental illness. I've seen victories - loved ones taking control of their health and their lives and making the hard decisions to seek treatment and stick with it. I've also seen casualties - friends who fell through the cracks some time, long ago, and who never managed to find their footing.

But mostly, I've seen struggle. The daily grind of getting out of bed and putting one foot in front of the other, showing up for loved ones, and making it work.

On this day, I invite the members of this House to do what they can to extend as much empathy and compassion as possible to those around them who may be hurting. Ask questions. Listen. Look closely. And be kind.