Media Advisory - Canada's first-ever Mental Health Strategy to be released May 8; technical briefing Monday May 7

OTTAWA, May 7, 2012 /CNW/ - The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) will be releasing Canada's first-ever national strategy to improve mental health for all Canadians.

The Strategy is a blueprint to promote better mental health, prevent mental illness and ensure that services and supports are there for people who need them. It follows several years of unprecedented consultation with thousands of Canadians.

The launch fulfills a key element of the mandate conferred on the Commission when it was created in 2007. The Strategy builds on the Commission's 2009 release of Toward Recovery and Well-Being: A Framework for a Mental Health Strategy for Canada.

Participating in the launch with Commission CEO, Louise Bradley, will be:

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health; newly appointed Commission Chair, psychiatrist Dr. David Goldbloom who is Senior Medical Advisor at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto; the Honourable Michael Kirby, Commission founder and past Board Chair; Ms. Florence Budden, President of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada; and Ms. Shana Calixte, peer support advocate.

A microsite will be launched at noon: http://strategy.mentalhealthcommission.ca

BACKGROUND MEDIA TECHNICAL BRIEFING
WHEN:				Monday, May 7, 2012 - 11 a.m.
WHERE:				Tudor room, Château Laurier
*Pre-registration is required

STRATEGY RELEASE
WHEN:				Tuesday, May 8, 2012 - press conference begins at noon
WHERE:				Château Laurier Ballroom, 1 Rideau St., Ottawa

INTERVIEWS
Members of the media are invited to interview the presenters, and mental health experts. Pre-interviews may also be arranged.  The launch will also be live streamed online at: http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=453328&s=1&k=838BAF2144A7EAC0AB5343C9BC0571F4

Follow the event on Twitter at:
#MHCCstrategy
#CSMCstrategie

 

Jacquie LaRocque - [email protected] - 613-614-6339