Canadian Mental Health Association Urges Canadians to Unmask Mental Health

Stigma remains one of the biggest barriers preventing individuals from seeking the mental health support they need. PHOTO: RDNE

A powerful new campaign from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is encouraging Canadians to take off the metaphorical masks many wear to hide their mental health struggles. As Mental Health Week approaches, taking place from 5 to 11 May 2025, CMHA is spotlighting a harsh truth: 60% of people in Canada living with a mental health problem or illness won’t seek help because they fear being labelled.

The theme for this year’s Mental Health Week is 'Unmasking Mental Health', an initiative aimed at confronting one of the most enduring barriers to mental well-being: stigma.

“People mask for a lot of different reasons—social acceptance, economic necessity, and fear,” says Dr. Leyna Lowe, National Senior Research and Policy Analyst at CMHA National. “While masking can be helpful at times, many of us hide our struggles at work, online, even with loved ones, which can worsen our mental health. Constant masking can be exhausting and can even lead to isolation, disconnection and a loss of self-identity,” she explains.

Masking mental health struggles can lead to isolation, disconnection, and a loss of self-identity. PHOTO: Nataliya Vaitkevich

The Hidden Cost of Hiding

Masking, as defined by CMHA, is the act of concealing or suppressing emotions, behaviours, or symptoms to avoid judgment or rejection. While many people engage in this to some degree, for those experiencing mental health or substance use challenges, it can become a long-term coping mechanism that negatively affects self-worth and well-being.

A 2022 survey by the Mental Health Commission of Canada found that 72% of individuals with mental health or substance use disorders experienced serious self-stigma, which can damage self-esteem and discourage individuals from seeking help, trapping them in a cycle of silence and suffering. “Stigma continues to be a significant barrier for those living with mental illnesses and substance use disorders,” Dr. Lowe says. “When people feel they need to hide a mental illness, addiction or substance use problem, they are less likely to seek help, perpetuating a cycle of isolation and poor mental health. That’s why it’s so important to have open and honest conversations about mental health in a safe and supportive environment, so people can get the help they need when they need it, without judgment,” she adds.

Creating a Culture of Openness

This year’s campaign goes beyond awareness, it’s a national call to action. CMHA is urging Canadians to make space for openness and vulnerability in every area of life, whether at home, in classrooms, at work, or online.

Unmasking, when done safely, can be a transformative act. It invites deeper connection, helps rebuild self-esteem, and gives others the courage to be honest about their own struggles. CMHA says that by normalizing mental health challenges as a shared human experience, we help dismantle the belief that these issues must be hidden.

“By unmasking our own struggles, we give others permission to do the same,” CMHA notes, “fostering a society of connection, understanding, and acceptance.”

How to Get Involved This Mental Health Week

Now in its 74th year, Mental Health Week is a well-established national initiative dedicated to promoting mental wellness and resilience. This year, CMHA invites all Canadians to get involved in the following ways:

• Join the conversation: Use the hashtags #UnmaskingMentalHealth and #MentalHealthWeek to amplify the message on social media.

• Speak up: Start open, judgment-free conversations with friends, family, or coworkers.

• Donate: Support CMHA’s essential mental health programs and services by donating at www.cmha.ca/donate.

• Reach out: If you or someone you know is struggling, contact your local CMHA. For immediate crisis support, call or text 9-8-8, available 24/7.

Unmasking, when done in a safe and supportive environment, helps foster deeper connections and self-acceptance. PHOTO: Vitaly Gariev

Looking Beyond the Surface

Mental health challenges often go unseen. A person may appear successful, happy, or in control, while silently dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or addiction. Masking may help them cope temporarily but it can make it harder for others to recognize when support is needed.

This Mental Health Week, CMHA is asking Canadians to look beyond the surface and see the whole person. “By embracing honesty and vulnerability,” the organization says, “we open the door to deeper connections and the mental health benefits that come with them.”

Building a Better Future—Together

While stigma remains a significant obstacle, it is not one we must accept. Mental Health Week is a powerful reminder that change is possible when we choose empathy over judgment, openness over silence, and connection over shame.

This 5 to 11 May, let’s unmask mental health, together. Speak up, reach out and help create a Canada where no one feels they have to hide.