CMHA takes a stand for Zero Discrimination Day

On March 1st, Zero Discrimination Day, and you can do your part to break down the barriers that discrimination creates by reflecting on how it affects people in everyday situations.

CMHA Waterloo Wellington is also encouraging Ontarians to recognize where everyday discrimination takes place and to take action to stop it. Discrimination is often based on misinformation or fear of the unknown. And CMHA recognizes that stigma and discrimination is a reality for many people with a mental illness. Whereas stigma is a negative stereotype, discrimination is the behaviour that results from this negative stereotype. Often, individuals with a mental illness are faced with multiple, intersecting layers of discrimination because of their mental illness and their identity.

Led by the United Nations, Zero Discrimination Day is an annual campaign which aims to celebrate diversity and reject discrimination in all its forms including racism, discrimination at work, discrimination at school, and other activities that reduce people’s ability to participate fully and meaningfully in society.