CAMIMH Joins Forces with the Governor General to Move Forward for Mental Health

Faces of Mental Illness Recognized at Rideau Hall

OTTAWA, Oct. 16, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH), were very proud to be in attendance at The Happening: An Evening Where Creativity and Mental Health Come Together, celebrated at the Rideau Hall hosted by His and Her Excellencies the Governor General David Johnston and his wife Sharon. We were also very pleased that during her opening address, Her Excellency recognized the 2013 Faces of Mental Illness at a ceremony at Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Governor General.

"All CAMIMH members are so proud of the 2013 Faces," said Dave Gallson, CAMIMH co-Chair. "We were delighted at the involvement of the Governor General and his wife in our campaigns. This is a fantastic opportunity to collaborate and discuss innovative ways to address mental illness and further mental health in Canada. To bring to bear the prestige and visibility of Rideau Hall in this process is so exciting."

The evening's event at Rideau Hall brought together persons with lived experience of mental illness, politicians, and celebrities along with many of Canada's leading mental health advocates. Mental health is an issue that is very important to His and Her Excellencies, and the event was held during Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW).

"The room was buzzing with the hope that Canada will become a world leader in how we support and further the cause of mental health," stated John Higenbottam, CAMIMH Co-chair. "We were very proud and honoured to be in a room filled with persons committed to improving mental health in Canada. We hope this event will help spur the conversation we need to address the huge mental illness problems faced by so many Canadians."

"On behalf of the 2013 Faces and all CAMIMH members, we extend our most sincere gratitude to thank Their Excellencies for hosting this event. In particular CAMIMH would like to recognize Her Excellency, Sharon Johnston, for her commitment to mental health in Canada."

Established in 1998, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is an alliance of national 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

Kalene DeBaeremaeker <[email protected]>
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