The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health Launches its 11th Annual Faces of Mental Illness Campaign

CAMIMH Calling for Submissions from Members of the Public

OTTAWA, April 30, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is launching the 11^th annual Faces of Mental Illness campaign and seeking nominations from the public. CAMIMH is proud to organize this important campaign, which features the faces and stories of Canadians living in recovery with mental illness.  The campaign selects five individuals and enables them to tell their mental health stories through promotional materials, in profile videos and through media engagement.

"The Faces of Mental Illness are advocates within the mental health community.  Their lived experiences allow them to engage the public and political decision makers in a very effective way," said Dr. Karen Cohen, CAMIMH Campaign Chair 2013. "Their's are stories that, when shared publicly, help to educate, reverse stigma and discrimination, and help others in recovery."

The Faces of Mental Illness campaign is a key component of Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) running from October 6^th-12^th 2013.  The campaign is made possible by the generous support and commitment of Bell, CAMIMH's Presenting Sponsor, as part of Bell Let's Talk.  CAMIMH is also glad to welcome and appreciate Lundbeck Canada Inc. for their generous contribution as Premier Sponsor.

"Mental illness affects so many Canadians and their need for help is great.  Although we have treatments, services and supports that work, these are not sufficiently available to people who need them. Canada must do a better job investing in treatments, services and supports and making them accessible where and when people need them.  The Faces of Mental Illness campaign shows Canadians that mental illness has many faces - faces familiar to all of us and the faces of people who deserve respect, admiration, and most importantly, our attention. The campaign reminds us that recovery is possible, and that access to services and supports is a critical component of this recovery," concluded Cohen.

To nominate a Face, please visit camimh.ca. Nominations will be accepted until May 31^st, 2013. The 2013 Faces will be announced in late June.  CAMIMH would once again like to thank their generous sponsors who make this campaign possible:  Bell, Lundbeck Canada Inc., Impact Public Affairs and Janssen.

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

For further information:

Kalene DeBaeremaeker
Faces of Mental Illness Committee
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]