The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health Proudly Announces the 2013 Champions of Mental Health Award Winners

OTTAWA, April 8, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) officially announced the winners of the Champions of Mental Health Awards for 2013.  The annual Champions Awards bring 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 had a remarkable group of more than fifty nominations this year from across the country," stated Dr. Karen Cohen, Chair of Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) 2013.  "There were many outstanding candidates and decision-making was difficult.  The winners are an excellent representation of the kind of innovative and diverse work being done in the service of mental health."

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.  The gala to honour the 2013 Champions of Mental Health Awards recipients will take place on May 6^th 2013 in Ottawa at the Château Laurier.

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, Liberal Leader and 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 in treatment of first episode psychosis at the PEPP Clinic of the Douglas Institute, McGill University

New this year, the gala will include a cake auction to raise funds in support of the Reunite Program of Operation Come Home.  It is CAMIMH's hope that the auction will become a standing event enabling the gala to both celebrate and support a national mental health program or initiative.  Tickets and tables are on sale now.  To purchase tickets for 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
Tel.: [phone] Email: [email protected]