Brothers & Sisters,
As members, each one of us has been touched in some way by mental health either directly, or through a family member, friend or a colleague. Current statistics indicate that 1 in 5 Canadians will, in their lifetime experience a mental health problem or illness. This major social concern spares no one.
As Canadians and Unionists, we have come a very long way in advocating for those in need, yet the stigma is very much real, alive and well in the mind of the sufferer, even in 2023. Sadly, there is still the sense that by speaking up, we will be being judged by those around us. This alone is one of the greatest barriers to live a complete and satisfying life.
As members of Unifor, we have always advocated strongly for the need to openly speak up and to listen up on mental health in our workplaces but we also recognize that there is much work to be done.
Unifor Local 707
2023 Mental Health Campaign
Join members of our Local to raise awareness and assist with community mental health programs by purchasing an End the Stigma -Mental Health Matters t-shirt for $20.00 at our Local Union Hall or through the Union Awareness learning centre in the plant.
100% of the proceeds from the shirt sale will go towards:
Canadian Mental Health Association– a nationwide organization that promotes mental health and supports people recovering from mental illness.
Distress Centre Halton -a non-profit charitable organization that provides telephone and online support to people 365 days of the year in the Oakville, Burlington, Milton/ Halton hills and Hamilton.
Burlington: 905-681-1488
Halton Hills/Milton: 905-877-1211
Hamilton: 905-561-5800
Oakville: 905-849-4541
Here are some quick facts that may astound you.
- Approximately 8% of adults will experience major depression at some time in their lives.
- About 1% of Canadians will experience bipolar disorder.
- By age 40, about 50% of the population will have or have had a mental illness.
- Schizophrenia affects 1% of the Canadian population.
- Anxiety disorders affect 5% of the household population, causing mild to severe impairment.
- Suicide accounts for 24% of all deaths among 15-24 year olds and 16% among 25-44 year olds.
- Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women from adolescence to middle age.
- The mortality rate due to suicide among men is four times the rate among women.
In Solidarity,
Mark Sciberras
Unifor Local 707 President
Marc Brennan
Unifor Local 707 OAC Plant Chairperson
Trevor Mason
Unifor Local 707
EFAP Representative
