CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association) Mental Health Week 2025: “Unmasking Mental Health”

Author: Cindy Binions B.A. ICF

CMHA Mental Health Week 2025

CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association) Mental Health Week 2025 runs May 5-11th.This year’s theme is “Unmasking Mental Health”. Living with mental health challenges often forces people to hide behind a “mask” to protect themselves from judgment and discrimination. But the heavier the stigma, the heavier the mask becomes, and the more isolated someone may feel.

What is masking?

Masking is hiding or suppressing something about ourselves from others, such as emotions, personality traits, behaviours, or symptoms. It’s a coping mechanism used to stay safe, hide in plain sight or “fit in,” and we may even do it without being aware of it. People with mental health or addiction struggles often wear the “I’m fine” mask every day to keep a job, find housing, or simply be accepted.

Masking can sometimes be a helpful tool in our day-to-day lives as it can help people navigate social situations, feel safe, and maintain personal boundaries and privacy - but over time constant masking, for whatever the reason, can lead to worsened mental and physical health concerns.

Stigma (labeling, stereotyping or holding negative beliefs) against people with mental illnesses or substance use problems is still a major barrier to getting help. People with mental illnesses also often internalize the stigma that society reflects, causing what’s called self-stigma. Self-stigma can make people feel shame and believe they are less worthy than others. On top of being a barrier to getting help, self-stigma can lead to low self-esteem, and low levels of hope and empowerment.

How does masking show up in eating disorders and seeking treatment?

Eating disorders are complex mental health issues involving emotional and psychological factors. In our work with clients at Westwind we often see how the eating disorder can use masking and self-stigma to protect itself and act as a barrier to a client seeking the recovery support they need and deserve. Sometimes an individual suffering with an ED will ‘mask’ being okay or doing better than they are due to fear of repercussions, stigma and even fear of what may happen if their ED is exposed. The eating disorder will often tell individuals that they are not sick enough to deserve treatment and support - or it may encourage them to get sicker before they can access treatment. It will tell them that others are worse off and need treatment and care more than they do. The eating disorder may tell an individual that their body is the ‘wrong’ shape or size to experience an ED so they are not actually sick or suffering. The eating disorder will encourage isolation and secrecy in addition to masking, which separates individuals from their supports, connections and community.

There’s more to any one person than meets the eye and we should all be free to be seen, heard, and to express ourselves without fear. Addressing stigma and discrimination and practicing compassion can help us create a society where people feel safe to share and be who they are. Let’s unmask mental health together!

For more information about CMHA 2025 please visit: https://cmha.ca/mental-health-week