Keynote panel looks at leveling playing field for those suffering from depression

TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2017 /CNW/ - Can we truly say the way we treat mental illness is universal? The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is hosting its annual "Mental Health for All" conference next week in Toronto. As part of the conference, there will be a keynote panel that examines that question, shining a spotlight on the issue of equal access to medications and treatment for those suffering from depression and other mental illnesses. The panel is titled: Universal Health Care? Not So for Mental Health.

Date:	Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Time:	10-11 a.m.
Location:	Hilton Toronto
	(145 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON)

The panel will include well-known advocates and practitioners from the mental health field including CMHA national CEO Dr. Patrick Smith, Dr. David Gratzer from Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Canadian Psychological Association CEO Dr. Karen Cohen, as well as Brianne Moore, a person with lived experience. Full bios are available for all panelists are available at http://conference.cmha.ca/keynote/.

The moderated fire side chat will be followed by an audience Q & A. The panel will be moderated by Ann Marie MacDonald, Executive Director/CEO, Mood Disorders Association of Ontario.

Members of the media are invited to attend and get a deeper look at an issue that's affecting too many Ontarians -- and Canadians. The panel will discuss the fact that people who rely on public insurance do not have access to the same level of care for mental illness as those who have private insurance and why this issue needs to be addressed by decision makers, both nationally and provincially.

SOURCE Canadians for Equitable Access to Depression Medication

Joan Weinman, 613-294-5679, [email protected]