Member for vancouver hastings. Thank you honorable speaker today, I'm happy to rise and recognize the 71st annual canadian mental health association. Mental health week running today may 2nd to may 8th it's a time to celebrate, protect and promote mental health. Sometimes the best way to help is to make people feel seen and heard. That's why this year's mental health week is all about empathy.

Cmha describes empathy as the capacity we share as human beings to step into each other's shoes to understand where they're coming from and what they're feeling to listen hard and refuse to judge. It's also one way to reduce and resolve conflict.

These last two years have been incredibly challenging for british columbians and, of course, have taken a toll on our mental health. When times are tough, we need to acknowledge and take care of our mental well-being. So, if you are struggling, you need to know that you are not alone and there is help this mental health week. I want to thank the canadian mental health association for leading this initiative for decades, while supporting our communities and expanding our understanding of mental wellness.

In addition, I want to make sure to thank the countless care workers, mental health workers, peer workers and non-profits that work hard to support people across this province on a daily basis, with their mental health needs, whether it's the new complex care beds in vancouver run by lookout, society and community builders or plea community services that provides mental health services for youth in my riding government is committed to making sure mental health supports are available to everyone who needs them. If you or somebody you know, needs help, take the first step and reach out.

I encourage everyone to visit mentalhealthweek.ca for more information about this year's focus or call 310 6789 for information and tools on mental health and well-being. Thank you, mr speaker.