Seeking Child and Youth Mental Health Awareness Day

TORONTO, May 3 /CNW/ -

    
    May 3rd 11:00 a.m Press Conference/Public Presentations South Lawn,
    Queen's Park

    Statements will be made by:
    Valerie Pringle
    Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President OPSEU
    Dr. Simon Davidson
    Dr. David Goldbloom
    Andrea Howarth
    

Children are bullied. Parents are ashamed. Communities are divided. That's what life looks like when we don't eliminate the prejudice of living with mental illness.

PCMH and supporters will be at Queen's Park on Monday, May 3rd, 2010, seeking support from legislature to have May 7th declared Child and Youth Mental Health Awareness Day. This provincial effort is part of a National Consortium working to have the day declared in all the Provinces, as well as have it declared Nationally.

Sarah Cannon, Executive Director of PCMH points out that "families and those affected with mental illness are forced to deal with discrimination and judgment that largely comes from stigma and we believe this stigma is grounded in fear. To combat this stigma we must raise awareness around the real issues, and the fact that these illnesses are claiming children and youth lives more than any other physical illness, yet still go ignored." Sarah Cannon believes that "that the only way to stop stigma is to stand firmly in front of it, and we believe May 3rd is one step in that direction."

* Parents for Children's Mental Health is a non-profit, Provincial, parent-led organization dedicated to raising the voice of families and children who face the daily struggles and challenges when dealing with child and youth mental health issues.

    
           Children's Mental Health is EVERYONE'S Business.......
    

For further information: Sarah Cannon, Executive Director, Parents for Children's Mental Health, Cell - [phone]