Mobilize

Above all, the Mental Illness Foundation wishes to disseminate information about mental illness in a way that confronts  taboos, by presenting it to people in a direct and straightforward manner, to get them talking about it and let them know that once mental illness is diagnosed, it can be treated. The logic is simple: When a person has information on something, they can make a choice; when they don’t, they can’t make a choice.

The notion of choice also underlies the Foundation’s interest in having people assume accountability throughout the process. Having knowledge also means taking action when necessary.

Mental illness doesn’t only affect those who have it. It also leads to serious economic and social repercussions, making it society’s problem as well. That is why the Foundation informs and raises awareness among the public and the media: to demystify the illness and offer possible solutions. In addition, it invests in research in the hope that a better understanding of mental illness will contribute to improved treatment for those who are ill.

Inform

To help it provide the public with appropriate information about mental illness, the Foundation has created several tools: brochures and videos about various mental illness, newsletters, etc. Many of these are available on our Web site or in paper format for a small fee.

The Foundation also takes part in conferences and symposia on mental illness to share its expertise in the field of preventing and diagnosing mental illness.

Raise awareness

In 2000, the Mental Illness Foundation conducted a major awareness campaign whose theme was “Depression: it’s an illness and it’s treatable.” The campaign helped improve the understanding that depression is an illness and not “a character weakness” as is often believed. The message went out to over one million people, asking them to be attentive to the distress of the people around them.

In 2005, the Foundation conducted another grand media awareness campaign to help the public understand what people with depression experience and to change perceptions about them. In light of the interest shown by the public and the reaction of people who are ill, we believe that we achieved our objective.

In 2008, a new media campaign entitled “It’s Urgent to Act” was organized to raise public awareness about the impact of mental illness on those who are ill and their loved ones.

Research

One of the MIF’s most remarkable achievements is the Centre de recherche Fernand-Seguin, an independent organization employing over 150 people, including some 50 researchers from various disciplines. The centre’s work is focused on furthering knowledge and developing treatments for different mental illnesses.

The Foundation has also awarded study bursaries to young university students, such as the bursary awarded to the student who places first in the Fonds de recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ) competition, not to mention the postdoctoral study bursaries awarded to eminent researchers, including Dr. Odette Bernazzani of the Centre hospitalier Maisonneuve-Rosemont for her postdoctoral studies on depression in women.