Media advisory - Canadian Mental Health Community Gathers at the Champions of Mental Health Awards in Ottawa

OTTAWA, May 2, 2014 /CNW/ -

WHO:	The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) will celebrate its 2014 Champions of Mental Health.  Special guests include: emcee Valerie Pringle, President of the Treasury Board, Tony Clement, Rick Mercer, Members of the Canadian healthcare community, as well as all Champions of Mental Health for 2014.
The winners of the 2014 Champions of Mental Health Awards are:
Community Organization:		Artbeat Studio Inc., a community based, peer driven initiative providing studio space, classes and mentorship to individuals living with mental illness.
Community Individual:		Mr. Brett Batten, an individual who shared his journey with mental illness and his experiences with the correctional system to educate Members of Provincial Parliament and communities across Ontario.  Additionally he works to inform Federal Politicians about the topic of individuals found Not Criminally Responsible.
Media:		Ms. Mary Walsh, a nationally recognized comedian and mental health advocate.
Parliamentarian:		Dr. Harold Albrecht, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga, who sponsored Bill C-300, calling on the government to develop a Federal Framework on Suicide Prevention.
Workplace Mental Health:		Mrs. Barbara Campbell, Mentor/Coordinator for the Men at Risk program dedicated to educating employees about mental health and ultimately reducing the stigma so that people will seek treatment for mental illness.
Youth:		Samantha-Maria Figueroa, Simarjeet Gill, Jennifer Pazdor and Stephanie Zabar, students from Sisler High School in Winnipeg, Manitoba and the Save Our Minds Project who are creating digital applications to provide information and solutions for families and parents who know someone who is experiencing mental illness.
WHERE:	Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa
WHEN:	Monday May 5^th, 2014 | 5:30pm- 9:30pm

CAMIMH would to thank their generous sponsors who make this campaign possible:  Bell Let's Talk, Lundbeck Canada, The Mental Health Commission of Canada and Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D).

Established in 1998, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is an alliance of mental health organizations comprised of health care providers and organizations representing persons with mental illness and their families and caregivers. CAMIMH's mandate is to ensure that mental health is placed on the national agenda so that persons with a lived experience of mental illness and their families receive appropriate access to care and support.

SOURCE: Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health

To learn more about CAMIMH's campaigns, please visit camimh.ca or contact: Kalene DeBaeremaeker, E-mail: [email protected] , Telephone: [phone] | 613-857-1758