Canadian Mental Health Association, National Proudly Announces Award-winners At Annual Conference In Nova Scotia

Main Category: Mental Health
Article Date: 29 Aug 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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Commemorating 100 years of the mental health movement in Canada, this year's annual national conference Making Waves for Change was hosted by the Nova Scotia Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in Halifax on Friday, August 22 and Saturday, August 23, 2008. This year's conference celebrated the past, present and future of mental health in Canada, marked the first anniversary of the newly-created Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), and celebrated individuals and organizations, including the media and government, for their leadership and contributions to mental health in their communities at an awards ceremony on Saturday evening.

Each year, these national awards recognize the outstanding efforts of individuals and organizations, including CMHA volunteers and staff members in communities from coast-to-coast-to coast throughout Canada, who exemplify the vision and mission of the Association.

CMHA proudly salutes this year's special award-winners and applauds their many efforts to make a difference in mental health in their communities and in Canada. This year's recipients include:

*Steve Lurie, CMHA, Toronto Branch. The C. M. Hincks Award honours the founder of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Clarence Meredith Hincks, for his spirit and social commitment. It is our highest award and it is presented annually to one outstanding individual or organization which has advanced mental health in Canada through their work/volunteer activities by working on behalf of people with mental illness.

*Don Boddy, Portage Le Prairie, Manitoba. The Outstanding Volunteer Service Award celebrates a volunteer who has given considerable time and effort to many different services provided by the CMHA, and has had a positive impact across Canada.

*Joyce McDonald, CMHA Coldchester/East Hants County Branch, Nova Scotia;

*Jean McBrine, CMHA, Frederiction-Oromocto Branch; and

*Street Outreach and Stabilization Program (SOS), CMHA, Calgary Branch.

The CMHA Staff Award is presented to any individual CMHA employee or team which has shown significant leadership within the Association at the local, regional, provincial, territorial or national level.

*William Calbeck, PEI. The National Distinguished Service Award was created to commend one exemplary volunteer in each of the Association's Divisions.

*Olivier Martini, Calgary, Alberta; and

*Participatory Action Research, Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Consumer Involvement Award is given to a consumer of mental health services who has contributed to the promotion and involvement of other consumers within the CMHA.

*Diane Doherty, CMHA, Halton Branch. The Edward Pennington Innovation Award was created by the CMHA in 2003 to honour Edward J. Pennington, General Director of the CMHA National Office, for his 15 years of service and to celebrate innovative mental health programs at the local, regional, provincial or national level of CMHA. It recognizes significant community development, mental health promotion projects or programs that exemplify team leadership and innovation in the mental health field.

*mindyourmind.ca, London, Ontario; and

*A Cruel Confusion, a radio mental health series that aired on Sounds Like Canada on CBC Radio One in Vancouver with Shelagh Rogers (Producer: Phillip Ditchburn). The Media Award, inaugurated in 1991, honours representatives in the media who have made outstanding contributions to the coverage of mental health issues in Canada.

*Jane MacKinnon, award selected and presented by Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention (Calgary). The Freddi Ford Award is given by the CMHA, in partnership with the Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention, each year to an outstanding volunteer who has been actively involved in supporting survivors of suicide.

*North End Community Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Marjorie Hiscott Keyes Award is chosen by the CMHA Division hosting the Annual Conference, as an acknowledgement of a local health care provider's achievements that mirror those of Marjorie Hiscott Keyes. Ms. Keyes was the first psychiatric nurse employed at Canada's first psychiatric clinic.

*Dalhousie Legal Aid Society, Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Aleck Trawick Q.C. Award is presented to a legal counsel or law firm, which has provided extraordinary leadership in advocacy before the courts and legislatures.

About CMHA, National

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), founded in 1918, is one of the oldest voluntary organizations in Canada. Each year, it provides direct service to more than 100,000 Canadians through the combined efforts of more than 10,000 volunteers and staff across Canada in over 135 communities. As a nation-wide, voluntary organization, the Canadian Mental Health Association promotes the mental health of all Canadians and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness. The CMHA accomplishes this mission through advocacy, education, research and service delivery.

CMHA, National