In Canada, October is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. Also in October, Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 4-10) and World Mental Health Day (October 10) are recognized.

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, in any given year, one in five Canadians will personally experience a mental health problem or illness. Poor mental health is not necessarily caused by one thing or one event. It is caused by a complex combination of genetic, biological, personality and environmental factors. Mental illness will affect every Canadian directly, or indirectly, at some point in their life.