CMHA-CT launches “Someone’s Someone” – a provincial campaign to humanize substance use and drive change

Oct 30, 2024

In Ontario, addiction is more than a statistic—it’s a deeply personal crisis affecting our families, friends and communities. Behind every number, there’s a story. Behind every story, there’s a person—a person who was someone’s someone.

Today, we’re proud to launch the “Someone’s Someone” campaign, an initiative aimed at shining light on these stories and rallying for the compassionate, evidence-based support our loved ones deserve.

Why this campaign matters right now

The drug toxicity crisis has reached devastating levels across our province, with lives lost daily. For too long, addiction and behavioural dependencies have been met with stigma and silence, leaving those affected in the shadows. But we know every person who lives with substance use is someone’s child, sibling, friend or partner. They’re someone’s someone.

This campaign isn’t just about numbers. It’s about acknowledging each life lost leaves a ripple effect of grief, pain and missed potential in its wake. It’s about understanding the absence of our loved ones is felt deeply, and this loss is preventable. We’re calling on everyone to join us in amplifying these voices and advocating for urgent change.

Through “Someone’s Someone,” we aim to do more than raise awareness. We’re fighting to reshape the narrative around addiction, substance use and behavioural dependencies, and push for meaningful policy changes that prioritize harm reduction, mental health support, and accessible care for all. This campaign will share powerful stories, both from those we’ve lost and from those who continue to fight for recovery every day.

We invite everyone to join us in this movement—whether by sharing a story, advocating for change, or simply supporting those around you. Because when we come together, we can break down the stigma that keeps people from seeking help. We can honour the memories of those we’ve lost by ensuring their stories lead to action.

How you can get involved

We all have a role to play in making this campaign a success. Here’s how you can get involved:

• Share your story: If you have a personal connection to addiction, substance use and/or behavioural dependencies, share your story at SomeonesSomeone.ca. – Let’s put faces to the statistics and help us show that everyone is someone’s someone.
• Spread the word: Follow the Someone’s Someone Instagram account linked here, share our posts, and help us amplify the message.
• Support your community: Reach out to those around you. A simple act of kindness can go a long way in showing someone they’re not alone. We’ll make this even easier for you in the coming months–stay tuned.

Join us in this movement

This campaign is more than just a call to action—it’s a commitment to the people we love, the communities we serve, and the future we want to build.

Let’s show that everyone is someone’s someone, and that we care enough to fight for change.