Pride is an opportunity to reflect on the work left to do ensuring everyone has equal rights and opportunities. Supporting LGBTQ2 mental health and well-being from coast to coast is a priority. Opinion by MP Carolyn_Bennett
It’s Pride season in Canada — a time of love, diversity, empowerment and freedom for LGBTQ2 Canadians to be their truest selves. Many communities are hosting Pride celebrations for the first time in years, and while this is a uniquely joyful time, it is also an opportunity to reflect on the profoundly important work left to do in building a society where everyone has equal rights and opportunities.
We now have a unique opportunity to build mental health literacy, so more people can recognize when they or their loved ones are struggling, and know how to access the mental health supports they need. This shift in attitude is already happening, both in Canada and abroad. People are more willing to share their experiences and their struggles, and are increasingly advocating for systems, services and communities that support mental health without barriers or judgment.
My role was created to focus on these challenging but important issues. As Canada’s first federal minister of mental health and addictions, I am working with experts, front-line workers and those with lived experiences to bring focus to mental health and substance-use challenges here. We are inspired by the innovative and successful efforts underway by clinicians, front-line providers, community organizations, and provincial and territorial health systems to tackle them.
In addition, we are now leading a whole-of-society approach to address substance use in Canada. That includes last month’s granting of, allowing for personal possession of small amounts of some illicit drugs. It also includes efforts to improve access to treatment and harm reduction services, strengthen enforcement to help reduce the toxic illegal drug supply, increase awareness and prevention efforts, and build the evidence base through investments in research and surveillance.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pride is ‘for everyone to enjoy themselves,’ Q&A with Pride Toronto’s International Grand Marshal Lady PhyllAfter two long years, Toronto’s Pride Parade is back on Sunday where members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and allies will march along downtown streets to celebrate diversity and protest for equal rights for everyone.
Read more »
Norway: Suspect in deadly Pride shooting agrees to custodyThe suspect in Saturday's mass shooting during an LGBTQ festival in Oslo has agreed to be held in pretrial custody for four weeks and will therefore not appear in court on Monday, a Norwegian court said.
Read more »
Tens of thousands throng downtown Toronto as Pride parade makes in-person returnToronto marks first Pride parade since 2019
Read more »
Norway shaken by attack that kills 2 during Pride festivalA gunman opened fire in Oslo's nightlife district early Saturday, killing two people and leaving more than 20 wounded in what the Norwegian security service called an 'Islamist terror act' during the capital's annual LGBTQ Pride festival.
Read more »
Tens of thousands expected as Toronto Pride parade makes in-person returnTORONTO - Tens of thousands of people are expected to march in today’s Pride parade in downtown Toronto, marking the return of in-person festivities f...
Read more »