VANCOUVER – (May 6, 2024): The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is proud to announce the commencement of its 73rd Mental Health Week, running from May 6th to May 12th. This year’s theme, “Healing through Compassion,” delves into the profound connection that compassion fosters among individuals and communities.
Compassion, defined as the practice of meeting suffering – whether our own or that of others – with kindness,[1] is often confused with empathy. While empathy involves sensing, feeling, and understanding of another’s experience, compassion goes beyond empathy into the realm of acting.
Through acts of kindness and understanding, individuals can build connections that go beyond differences and help everyone feel better together. In British Columbia, 14 local CMHA branches and a provincial office advocate for mental health awareness, support and inclusion–where kindness to self and others is the cornerstone of mental wellness.
CMHA BC hosts a range of programs that offer compassionate care to all British Columbians, funded by the Province of BC:
- BounceBack® is a free skill-building program designed to help adults and youth 13+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress, or worry, offered by compassionately trained coaches.
- Care for Caregivers provides a network of resources and peers where healthcare professionals are empowered to prioritize their mental health and well-being, fostering healthy minds for healing hands, and ultimately delivering compassionate and effective care for healthier communities.
- The Peer Assisted Care Team (PACT) model, led and advocated by CMHA BC, is a crisis response, community-led service. These mobile teams respond with compassion and care to mental health and substance use crisis calls within local communities.
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) National Office conducted a survey led by Maru Public Opinion in April 2024, indicated almost all Canadians (92%) think of themselves as compassionate, 4-in-10 Canadians took action to make it better for those affected by an issue/challenge over the past year.
“We’re seeing a lot of people wanting to be more compassionate, but not knowing how. The good news is that compassion is part of our human nature and can be learned and practiced,” explains Margaret Eaton, CMHA National CEO. “In fact, giving compassion, receiving compassion, and allowing ourselves to experience self-compassion are all very beneficial to our mental health.”
Demonstrating compassion through caring actions and kindness can positively impact mood and help alleviate feelings of depression.[2] This is because the act of “giving compassion” is closely connected to the release of oxytocin, a feel-good hormone. Research also suggests that compassion is also contagious.[3] Experiencing acts of compassion can encourage people to show compassion too, creating a domino effect.
The study revealed that 77% of British Columbians believe Canada could become a more compassionate nation by amplifying efforts to assist those in need through enhanced social support programs and improved laws and policies.
“We extend an invitation to all British Columbians to ignite conversations centered on compassion and kindness within their homes, workplaces, and communities,” urged Jonny Morris, CMHA BC CEO. “Together, we can push back on stigma and pave the way for a more empathetic and supportive society.”
Download the Toolkit and Access the Mental Health Week Resources
For further insights or to join the conversation on compassion, visit www.mentalhealthweek.ca or cmha.bc.ca. For more mental health and substance use information, articles and resources check out: https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/
About your CMHA
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is Canada’s most established mental health charity and the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health. CMHA, BC Division, together with a network of local CMHA branches, accomplishes this mission through advocacy, education, research, and service delivery related to mental health, substance use in locations across the province. Resources are available on numerous topic areas such as children, youth, parenting, workplace, alcohol, and other drugs, finding help, and improving mental wellness. CMHA provides vital programs and services to individuals and communities, striving to create a society free from stigma and discrimination against mental illness and substance use.
For media inquiries:
Media Contact: media@cmha.bc.ca
604-353-8159
Download Resources
- What is compassion
- The mental health impacts of compassion
- Creating compassionate workplace cultures
- The practice of self-compassion
- Guided exercise of self-reflection
Footnotes
- Neff, K. (2020, July 9). What is self-compassion?. Self-compassion. https://self-compassion.org/the-three-elements-of-self-compassion-2/
- Leaviss J, Uttley L. Psychotherapeutic benefits of compassion-focused therapy: an early systematic review. Psychological Medicine. 2015;45(5):927-945. doi:10.1017/S0033291714002141
- https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/well-being/compassion-benefits