2nd Annual Mindfest - free one-day event to kick off National Mental Illness Awareness Week

TORONTO, Oct. 6, 2014 /CNW/ - The Department of Psychiatry at U of T and Hart House are hosting the 2nd annual MindFest – a free one-day event to kick-off National Mental Illness Awareness Week. This lively mental health fair takes place today: Monday, October 6th, 2014. This free event held at Hart House raises awareness about mental health issues, highlights the support systems available to those who need them, and helps to erase mental health stigma. Mindfest has fun exhibit booths, guest speakers, interactive workshops, yoga/mindfulness, giveaways and more! MindFest aims to promote public awareness, dialogue, and understanding about mental health and illness. We are proud to partner with Hart House.

The event features 10 inspirational speakers, including: acclaimed Canadian sports journalist Michael Landsberg; psychiatrists Amy Cheung, Kenneth Fung, Bob Maunder and Tom Ungar; and mental health advocates Jesse Bigelow, Elyse Grieco, Leanne Needham, and The Jack Project.

A full day of workshops and activities will be offered throughout the day; plus a free screening of the movie "Not Criminally Responsible" starting at 7 pm.

To learn more about Mindfest, please visit www.mindfest.ca

SOURCE: University of Toronto, Department of Psychiatry

For further information: Media Contact: Lindsay Curtis, University of Toronto, Department of Psychiatry, 416-500-1405