Organizations Team Up to Spread Awareness of Mental Health Support

TORONTO, Feb. 18, 2014 /CNW/ - The Tema Conter Memorial Trust - Heroes Are Human together with The Toronto Military Family Resource Centre (TMFRC) and Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS) are proud to present, "Helping our Heroes and their Families - Mental Health Awareness Support Symposium" to be held on Wednesday, February 19^th in Vaughan.

"There's no competition amongst organizations when it comes to supporting the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces and emergency services organizations; we're all here for one purpose," said Laryssa Underhill, Family Peer Support Coordinator for OSISS.  "We want people to know that [Heroes Are Human, TMFRC and OSISS] are all working together to create awareness not only of mental health issues but more importantly, to make all of our support networks more accessible to those who need help."

The symposium, held from 6-9pm on Wednesday at the Hilton Garden Inn, 3201 Hwy #7 West in Vaughan, will feature an interactive panel of peers sharing their personal stories of mental health issues, struggles with suicide and where they found the support that inevitably helped them to heal.  A portion of the documentary, "Speaking Through Silence: The Voices of Children in Military Families Living with PTSD" by Skyworks Charitable Foundation will also be shown. Registration can be completed via email [email protected] or by phone [phone] x2666.

"The men and women of Canada's public safety, military, and correctional organizations see tragic events every day," said Vince Savoia, founder and executive director of the Trust.  "They witness human suffering up close and it sometimes becomes very difficult to cope with the aftermath.  We work tirelessly to create awareness and develop resources, and are very pleased to partner [with TMFRC and OSISS] to spread the message even further."

Savoia is currently hosting his charity's Education Week this week, including a media event to launch information about the 2014 Heroes Are Human cross-Canada PTSD-awareness tour on Thursday, February 20^th from 11am -1pm at the Hilton Garden Inn in Vaughan.  Hosted by Canadian actor Enrico Colantoni, the Trust's national spokesman, attendees will hear from PTSD survivors who are willing to share their personal stories for media interviews.

SOURCE: Tema Conter Memorial Trust

For further information, please visit the OSISS website and/or contact:

Rania Walker, Media Relations
416-258-8953
[email protected]

Erin Alvarez, Public Relations
1-888-288-8036 x4
[email protected]