A Port Coquitlam advocate is calling for 10,000 signatures to petition the federal government to proclaim Oct. 10 as World Mental Health Day.
Carol Todd, mother of the late Amanda Todd and the founder of the Amanda Todd Legacy Society, is using social media to drum up support for the designated day.
As of this morning (Monday), Todd’s Petition e-1736 had the 500 signatures required to have the citizen-led initiative tabled in the House of Commons. As the electronic petition ends Oct. 9, after its 120-day cycle, it would likely go for a government response later this year.
Her petition, which is being supported by Todd’s MP Ron McKinnon (Liberal, Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam), notes that half of Canadians have — or have had — a mental health illness by the time they reach 40.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for Canadians aged 15 to 24; Amanda Todd was 15 when she took her life, in 2012, as a result of cyberbullying, depression and self-harm.
“It is important to know that asking for help is OK and that there are people around us who care and want to help,” Carol Todd said in a news release. “Awareness and education is necessary to bring together the conversations needed to lessen the fear about talking about mental health, addictions and suicide preventions.”
jcleugh@tricitynews.com
DIGITAL LINKS
TV ad - https://www.telus.com/en/bc/about/company-overview/futurefriendly/education?INTCMP=VAN_endbullying
Digital pledge - https://wise.telus.com/en/pledge/?INTCMP=Future_Friendly_Education_Take_the_Pledge_Button
Message of Kindness (Carol) - https://www.telus.com/en/bc/about/company-overview/futurefriendly/education/a-mothers-mission-to-end-cyberbullying
