The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health Celebrates the 10th Annual National Champions of Mental Health

OTTAWA, May 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) celebrates the 2012 Champions of Mental Health during its tenth annual national awards gala. This event brings together political decision makers, business leaders, members of the national media, sponsors and other key stakeholders to celebrate individuals and organizations whose outstanding contributions have advanced the mental health agenda in Canada in the past year.

In unprecedented numbers, Canadians are coming forward to help advance the mental health agenda in this country and to reduce the stigma that has for too long been associated with mental illness.

The Champions of Mental Health Awards is a unique opportunity for Canadians from all regions and backgrounds to nominate an individual or an organization that they think has made a remarkable contribution to mental health in Canada.

This year's winners in each of the five categories are:

Community Individual:	Michael Landsberg, TSN Broadcaster
Community Organization:	Cardinal Newman Peer Mentors, Stoney Creek, Ontario
Public Sector Individual:	Senator W. David Angus, Q.C., Ad. E.
Private Sector Individual:	Scott Chisholm, founder of the Collateral Damage Project
Researcher:	Dr Trang Dao, psychiatric researcher and advocate for the mentally ill

"We could not be more proud of this exceptional group of individuals and organizations," said Dr. Karen Cohen, MIAW Chairperson.  "Our celebration today showcases and recognizes the remarkable contributions they have made to mental health and mental wellness in Canada."

This year's Champions of Mental Health were chosen from forty highly qualified individuals and organizations.  The list of nominees was the strongest CAMIMH has ever had, and choosing the five finalists proved to be a very difficult decision.  "All Canadians should be proud of what our Champions have done to advance the cause of mental health in this country," continued Cohen. "The plain reality is that one in five of us will experience a mental health problem in a given year, which means the vast majority of Canadian families are affected in some way by mental illness."

"On behalf of CAMIMH, we would like to offer our most sincere congratulations to each of this year's winners," concluded Cohen.  "We thank them, and all nominees, for their support, dedication and commitment to Canada's mental health.  Together, we can stand up for mental illness and mental health."

The Champions of Mental Health National Awards Gala, taking place during Mental Health Week, is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors - Bell Canada as our presenting sponsor and, in addition, the generous contributions of RBC, Janssen, Rx&D and Eli Lilly.  For more information on the Champions Awards, please visit http://www.miaw.ca/en/awards/overview.aspx.  For more information on Mental Health Week, please visit www.mentalhealthweek.ca.

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.

or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Kalene Tilson
Champions Awards Organizing Committee
Tel.: [phone]
Email: [email protected]