Day 1 of three-day Together Against Stigma Conference in Ottawa: MHCC hosts world's largest international conference on eliminating mental health stigma

OTTAWA, June 1, 2012 /CNW/ - The world's largest international conference focusing on ways to overcome stigma towards people with mental health problems begins Monday morning in Ottawa.

Together Against Stigma: Changing How We See Mental Illness — a three-day conference organized by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) and the World Psychiatric Association Scientific Section on Stigma and Mental Illness — is expected to draw nearly 600 researchers, mental health professionals, policy makers and people with lived experience from June 4-6.

Highlights of Day 1 of the conference include:

• Several high-profile keynote speakers, including award-winning actress and mental health advocate Glenn Close, her sister Jessie Close and nephew Calen Pick, who will speak about the effects of stigma on families, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Keynote address by Federal Labour Minister Lisa Raitt, who will discuss her own experience with mental illness and stigma, during opening remarks from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
• Opening comments by Ms. Louise Bradley and Dr. David Goldbloom of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, during opening remarks from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
• Renowned Canadian journalist Lloyd Robertson will lead a roundtable discussion on the media and mental health, during plenary session from 12:45 p.m. to 2:40 p.m.
• Key themes to be examined by presenters during symposiums, workshops and discussions include depictions of mental illness in the media and the role the media can play in helping to reduce stigma.
• More detailed information about the conference agenda, presenters and events can be found at www.togetheragainststigma2012.ca.

Details for the 5^th annual stigma conference:

What: Together Against Stigma: Changing How We See Mental Illness When: Monday, June 4 to Wednesday, June 6 Where: Delta Ottawa City Centre, 101 Lyon St., Ottawa

The 5^th annual International Stigma Conference follows on the heels of the MHCC launching the country's first national mental health strategy (strategy.mentalhealthcommission.ca) last month and the recent World Health Assembly proceedings in Geneva.

Follow the event on Twitter at: #Stigma2012 and @MHCC_

INTERVIEWS

Members of the media are invited to attend conference sessions. Individual media requests for interviews with presenters, mental health experts and those with lived experience will be considered, schedule permitting.

ACADEMIC PAPERS

A host of academic presentations will be released throughout the conference. Among the papers and presentations to be released today are:

• Evaluation of the National Time to Change Anti-Stigma Mass Media Campaign.
• Eliminating Stigma: A Focus on Seniors' Mental Health.
• "Nothing for Us Without Us" At Home/Chez Soi Project.
• Shifting Identities: Empowerment Through the Arts.

ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION OF CANADA

The Mental Health Commission of Canada is a catalyst for change. We are collaborating with hundreds of partners to change the attitudes of Canadians toward mental health problems and to improve services and support. Our goal is to help people who live with mental health problems and illnesses lead meaningful and productive lives. Together, we spark change.  The Mental Health Commission of Canada is funded by Health Canada.

The views represented herein solely represent the views of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
Production of this document is made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada.

Jacqueline (Jacquie) LaRocque
[email protected] (email preferred)
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