Forum focuses on improving mental health on college and university campuses

TORONTO, May 15, 2012 /CNW/ - College and university officials from across Ontario will gather Thursday, May 17, for a one-day conference in Toronto that explores mental-health issues facing students. The conference, Focus on Mental Health, will examine issues such as eliminating stigma. The conference will also include first-hand stories from students.

Featured speakers at the conference include award-winning TV personality Valerie Pringle and her daughter, Catherine, along with former federal finance minister Michael Wilson.

Dr. David Goldbloom, the chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, will also be a featured speaker at the event. The Mental Health Commission of Canada recently released Changing Directions, Changing Lives, a strategy for improving mental health in Canada.

The conference runs from 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. The conference is co-sponsored by Colleges Ontario, the Council of Ontario Universities, the College Student Alliance, and the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance.

Featured sessions will take place in the ballroom on the convention floor. All sessions are open to the media. For more details, please visit www.focusonmentalhealth.ca

Date:	Thursday, May 17
Key times
9 a.m. -	Remarks by Hon. Michael Wilson
9:45 a.m. -	Remarks by Dr. David Goldbloom
1 p.m. -	Remarks by Valerie Pringle and Catherine Pringle.
Location:	Royal York Hotel Ballroom, convention floor 100 Front St. W., Toronto

Karen Horsman
Manager, Media Relations and Communications
Colleges Ontario
647-258-7670
647-217-4109 (cell)
[email protected]

Jennifer Grass
Senior Director Communications and Public Affairs
416-979-4341 or 416-707-6787
[email protected]