The Canadian Mental Health Association Central Region is marking Mental Illness Awareness Week, which begins today.

Executive Director Jordan Friesen calls it a national public education campaign, and says it's important to raise awareness through an event like this.

"In order to break some of the stigma surrounding mental health, people need to be able to talk about it. And people can't talk about it if they don't know about it. So, in order to have an informed discussion, you need to have the right information. So I think it's about empowering people to have open discussions about mental illness and mental health, based on information that is accurate."

Friesen notes this week won't focus on only one aspect of mental illness, but takes an across the board approach.

"CMHA has a bunch of information on their website about specific mental illnesses. And then there's also information that's available to people on the state of mental health across the country. And I would direct them to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, where there's a vast array of resources for them to read, and to check out on their own."

"That recovery is possible. If you have a mental health issue, or a loved one does, you or they can feel better. And sharing stories about recovery, and about people that are promoting mental health, is essential in generating that hope and optimism that's necessary for that recovery journey to take place."