Canadian Psychiatrists Welcome The Honourable Michael Kirby as Honourary
Member

TORONTO, Sept. 26 /CNW Telbec/ - Last night The Honourable Michael Kirby was welcomed as an honourary member of the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA), the first such membership ever awarded to a non-psychiatrist. This honour was officially bestowed at the CPA President's Gala during their annual conference in Toronto.

The distinction of Honourary Member of the CPA is a rarely bestowed honour reserved for individuals to whom the Association wishes to pay special tribute. Only twelve individuals may hold the title of Honourary Member at any given time. "Including Mr. Kirby there are only six current honourary members and they number among our most esteemed colleagues. Mr. Kirby's extraordinary leadership in taking mental illness issues out of the shadow of Canadian public policy makes him a most worthy addition to this select group," says Dr. Donald Addington, Board Chairman of the Canadian Psychiatric Association.

The Senate Committee report, Out of the Shadows: Transforming Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction Services in Canada at Last, was undertaken and released under his Chairmanship of the The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. It was the first-ever national report on the state of mental health, mental illness and addiction in Canada. One of its primary recommendations was the formation of a national mental health commission.

"Mr. Kirby is a passionate and dedicated advocate for people with mental illness. As Chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada he is now following through on the vision articulated in the Senate report to help bring into being an integrated Pan-Canadian mental health system that places people living with mental illness at its centre," says Dr. Addington.

The Canadian Psychiatric Association is the national voice for Canada's 4,100 psychiatrists and more than 600 psychiatric residents. Founded in 1951, the CPA is dedicated to promoting an environment that fosters excellence in the provision of clinical care, education and research.

For further information: Hélène Côté, Canadian Psychiatric Association, Tel: [phone] or [email protected]