/R E P E A T -- Media Advisory - Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and Mental Health Commission of Canada - Innovative Outcomes arising from: A Conference to Improve Interactions with Persons with Mental Illness/

TORONTO, March 25, 2014 /CNW/ - It is an issue facing communities throughout North American and around the world: How can mental health, criminal justice, police and people with lived experience of mental illness work together to improve interactions? 

More than 300 delegates to a jointly sponsored two-day conference with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and the Mental Health Commission of Canada are grappling together with that issue in Toronto, March 25-26.

On Wednesday, March 26, 2014, Chief Constable Jim Chu (President of the Canadian Chiefs of Police) and Ms. Louise Bradley (President and CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Commission of Canada) will provide an overview of the conference and share innovative outcomes reached in consensus with conference delegates relating to ways in which to improve police interactions with persons with mental illness. Chief Chu and Ms. Bradley will address questions from the media and are available for interviews.

Members of the media are invited to attend:

What:	Innovative Outcomes Media Conference
	Balancing Individual Safety, Community Safety and Quality of Life – A Conference to Improve Interactions with Persons with Mental Illness
		Chief Constable Jim Chu, President, CACP Ms. Louise Bradley, President and CEO, MHCC and guests
When:	Wednesday, March 26, 2014 – 3:00 p.m. ET
Where:	Fairmont Royal York Hotel, York Room (Mezzanine Level)
	100 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario

The conference, Balancing Individual Safety, Community Safety and Quality of Life – A Conference to Improve Interactions with Persons with Mental Illness was attended by approximately 340 Canadian delegates representing leaders, front-line personnel, policy makers, practitioners and persons with lived experience within the law enforcement, mental health and criminal justice fields.

• Issues presented and discussed at the conference included:
• Police and Mental Health Training
• Opportunities Arising from New Models of Community Safety
• Crisis Intervention Models
• Confronting Stigma: Mental Illness in Society and the Workplace
• Recovery, Rehabilitation and Quality of Life Series
• Collaborative Measures of Success and Outcomes

Additional Media Resources:

• Agenda: http://www.cacp.ca/media/events/efiles/1465/Mental_Illness_Agenda.pdf
• Promotional Video: http://www.cacp.ca/media/Videos/PMI_EnglishSML.mp4

ABOUT THE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE
The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) was established in 1905 and currently has greater than 1,000 members from all across Canada.  Through its member police chiefs and other senior police executives, the CACP represents in excess of 90% of the police community in Canada.  Our members include federal, First Nations, provincial, regional and municipal, transportation and military police leaders.  The mission of the CACP is "The safety and security for all Canadians through innovative police leadership."

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.

SOURCE: Mental Health Commission of Canada

For further information: For additional information or background: Lindsey Scully, Director and Senior Writer, ENsight Canada, 613-790-4393, [e-mail]