It's Canadian Mental Health Association's (CMHA) Mental Health Week. It began Monday, and CMHA Central executive director Sean Miller explains the significance.

"The reason it's important to have a week dedicated to mental health is that we know that there is public understanding of mental illness," says Miller.

"But mental illness and mental health are two different terms that are used interchangeably. The reality is that they're very different things. Mental illness impacts one out of five people. Mental health is five out of five. We all have mental health. The condition of our mental health actually impacts the quality of life that we experience."

Miller explains their efforts to explain the differences.

"We do have a number of program services. We've got a course that talks about what good, positive mental health really means. It's about that self-esteem; about maintaining autonomy in life; having a life that we choose to live, and what's all involved in being able to do that. That includes skill development, helping us develop healthy relationships with people, and having a positive outlook on life. It's not just all optimism. There are some real-world skills that can be developed and then used to experience that quality of life that we all want."

He says the common person's role in this awareness depends on any given person's level of mental health.

"To one person, it may mean taking different steps than it means for another person," continues Miller. "There are some people that may already engage in a number of activities that are meant to promote mental health. For example, physical health has a direct impact on mental health. So, there may be somebody that goes to the gym, or exercises and goes for a walk every single day of the week. For them, their role is to maintain that sort of thing. It really is about habits that we build into our lives. So, the role is really dependent on habits that we already do on a daily basis. If you're lacking in one area, you may want to be pick up a healthy habit. Maybe it's healthy eating. You may want to substitute one healthy choice for another healthy choice."

Because it's mental health week, Miller says, they try to highlight the programs and services they regularly offer.