We have officially opened nominations for the Champions of Mental Health Awards for 2013. The eleventh annual Champions Awards will bring together political decision makers, business leaders, members of the national
media, sponsors and other stakeholders to celebrate individuals and
organizations whose outstanding contributions have advanced the mental health
agenda in Canada in the past year.
Each year, we honour a group
of inspiring Canadians who work diligently to raise awareness about mental
health and work to end the stigma associated with mental illness. We are truly grateful for their efforts and
these awards are a way to celebrate and recognize their remarkable
contributions.
Our growing Champions alumnus
represents some of the best advocates for mental health in Canada and each year
this multi-disciplinary network of mental health experts grows. This impressive scope of experts provides
CAMIMH with a unique position to spread the conversation about mental illness
into every region across Canada. This
ever broadening network not only engages more mental health experts, but also
demonstrates to Canadians the value of open discussion as a means to reducing
stigma.
The gala to honour the 2013 Champions
of Mental Health Awards recipients
will be hosted on May 6th 2013 at the Château
Laurier. The Champions of Mental Health Awards are a key component of CAMIMH’s
annual awareness campaigns and are made possible through the generous support
of its presenting sponsor Bell, as part of the Bell Let’s Talk mental health
initiative. In 2012, CAMIMH received a
record 40 nominations and had the difficult task of choosing only five recipients. The 2012
Champions Awards recipients included:
Retired Senator W. David Angus, Scott Chisholm, founder of the Collateral
Damage Project, Dr. Trang Dao, Psychiatric Researcher, Michael Landsberg, TSN
Broadcaster and the Cardinal Newman Peer Mentors.
Mental illness is an issue that
reaches everyone. One in five Canadians will
experience a mental problem or disorder in a given year. Even more will know someone who has. We hope that by recognizing some of the work
that is being done to raise awareness, end stigma and promote access to needed
services and supports will make a difference for Canada’s mental health.