MEDIA ADVISORY - Strengthening employment opportunities for Canadians with serious mental illness

OTTAWA, Oct. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - Up to 90 per cent of Canadians living with serious mental illnesses are unemployed. They are individuals with the skills and abilities so needed by employers in today's economy. They are Canada's Aspiring Workforce.

What's keeping these individuals out of the workforce? Why are their skills and abilities being overlooked by employers?

The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) is marking Mental Illness Awareness Week* (October 6 - 12) with the release of the Aspiring Workforce Report on Wednesday, October 9, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. E.S.T.

The report—produced in collaboration with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), the University of Toronto, and Queen's University—provides several implementable recommendations to help policy makers, governments, and employers support people in Canada living with serious mental illnesses to engage meaningfully in the workforce.

The Aspiring Workforce Report relates directly to the Mental Health Strategy for Canada and represents a significant accomplishment within the Commission's mandate since the Strategy's release in 2012.

What:	Release of recommendations to help policy makers, governments, and employers to support people in Canada living with serious mental illnesses engage meaningfully in the workforce.
Who:	Cameron Keller, Vice President, Programs and Priorities, MHCC
	Don Mahleka, Operations Manager, NGen Youth Centre
	Andrea Payne, Human Resources Manager, J.E. Agnew Food Services Ltd.
	(Operator of 18 Tim Hortons restaurants)
	John Trainor, Principal Investigator, Aspiring Workforce Report
Where:	Mac Hall, The Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 6H5
When:	Wednesday, October 9, 2013, 11:30 a.m. E.S.T.

*organized annually in Canada by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health

ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION OF CANADA
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is a catalyst for change. We are collaborating with hundreds of partners to change the attitudes of Canadians toward mental health problems and to improve services and support. Our goal is to help people who live with mental health problems and illnesses lead meaningful and productive lives. Together we create change. The Mental Health Commission of Canada is funded by Health Canada.

www.mentalhealthcommission.ca | strategy.mentalhealthcommission.ca

The views represented herein solely represent the views of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Production of this document is made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada.

 

SOURCE: Mental Health Commission of Canada

For further information:

Kyle Marr, Senior Communications Specialist
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Office: 403-385‐4050
Mobile: 587-226‐8782
[e-mail]

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