The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health Celebrates the Champions of Mental Health Awards Gala

OTTAWA, May 6, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) will host the Champions of Mental Health Awards for 2013 at the Château Laurier.

The annual Champions Awards brings together political decision makers, business leaders, members of the national media, sponsors and other stakeholders to celebrate individuals and organizations whose outstanding contributions have advanced the mental health agenda in Canada in the past year.

"We are honoured that Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will join us this evening and share in our commitment to Canada's mental health and wellbeing," stated Dr. Karen Cohen, CAMIMH Campaign Chair 2013.

The Champions of Mental Health Awards are a key component of CAMIMH's annual awareness campaigns and are made possible through the generous support of its presenting sponsor Bell, as part of the Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative. "We are very honoured to have Bell as our Presenting Sponsor for these awards and are truly grateful for their support.  Without Bell this event would not have been possible," said Dr. Cohen.

"Bell is pleased to recognize once again Canada's Champions of Mental Health. We congratulate the winners for their outstanding leadership and commitment to helping raise awareness about mental health and improving access to mental health care in communities across Canada," says Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let's Talk. "We applaud the work of CAMIMH in helping to improve mental health care for Canadians."

The winners of the 2013 Champions of Mental Health Awards are:

Community Individual:	Eric Windeler, Founder and Lead Volunteer, The Jack Project, from Ontario
Community Organization:	mindyourmind, A non-profit organization with programs for youth mental health engagement
Parliamentarian:	The Honourable Bob Rae, Member of Parliament for Toronto - Centre
Private Sector Individual:	Emily Doer, Creator Tea for E|D - A tea party fundraiser for eating disorders, from Manitoba
Public Sector Individual:	Candice Waddell, A Registered Psychiatric Nurse who has dedicated herself to providing leadership and community advocacy projects in Nunavut
Research:	Dr. Tina Montreuil, A psychologist researcher into treatments of first episode psychosis at the PEPP Clinic of the Douglas Institute, McGill University

"We had a really challenging time choosing the winners this year from among 50 nominations received.  This group really exemplifies the kind of innovations that help Canadians to understand mental illness and to make effective treatments, services and supports available to those who need it," concluded Dr. Cohen.

CAMIMH would once again like to thank their generous sponsors who make this campaign possible:  Bell, Lundbeck Canada Inc, Impact Public Affairs and Janssen.  To learn more about the awards please visit camimh.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.

SOURCE: CANADIAN ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH

or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Kalene DeBaeremaeker, Champions Awards Organizing Committee
Email: [email protected]
Tel.: [phone]
Cell: 613-857-1758