Canadian Mental Health Association Honours Senator Larry Campbell with Mental Health Voices Award

Mental Health Voices Award video shown across BC during Mental Illness Awareness Week to increase awareness and understanding


With at least one in five British Columbians developing a mental illness in his or her lifetime, chances are it’s something that personally affects you or someone you care about. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) works year-round to help those affected by or interested in learning more about mental illness, but during Mental Illness Awareness Week 2011, October 2 to 8, CMHA is hosting even more awareness and engagement events across BC and Canada.

Many branches of CMHA also host special fundraising events to showcase and celebrate success stories from their community programs. A highlight of these events is a video sponsored by Pacific Blue Cross honouring the winner of the annual Mental Health Voices Award. The award is given to an individual who has shown courage, raised awareness, or encouraged acceptance and help for people with mental illness. Past recipients of the award have included broadcasters, Shelagh Rogers and Rafe Mair; recording artist, Matthew Good; retired NHL stars, Russ and Geoff Courtnal; and Archbishop Raymond Roussin.

CMHA is pleased to announce the 2011 Mental Health Voices Award winner: Senator Larry Campbell. Over the course of his career – through his work with the RCMP, as Chief Coroner, as Mayor and now Senator - he has championed mental health through his work on drug policy, suicide prevention, and promotion of mental health on a local, provincial, and national level.

“Senator Larry Campbell has been a fearless leader in advocating for better care for people with mental illness and addiction, and the importance of increasing knowledge and understanding.” says Bev Gutray, CEO of CMHA’s BC Division. “At the core, his is a message of hope.”

"There are all kinds of groups that will give you help," says Senator Campbell. "That will give you knowledge. That will give you the strength to be able to say 'Hey, you know, this is a lot of different than I’d imagined it to be and there’s something I can do about it.'"

As one of those groups, CMHA is hosting a number of events during Mental Illness Awareness Week designed to engage people to learn more about mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia, as well as connect with services and supports in their community.

"When things are rough, go talk to somebody. Go talk to somebody in health care, go talk to your teacher – and don’t quit. Keep going until your questions are answered to your satisfaction. And they will be, eventually."

The Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division is a charity which promotes the mental health of British Columbians and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness through public education, community-based research, influencing of public policy, and direct services and supports. CMHA has 19 branches throughout British Columbia and a Division office. Each year more than 80,000 people in 100 BC communities are served. Nationally, it is one of the oldest voluntary organizations in Canada. To watch the Mental Health Voices Video, get involved, donate, or find your local branch, visit www.cmha.bc.ca or call 1-800-555-8222.

Provincial Media Contact
Jennifer Quan | CMHA BC Division  or 1-800-555-8222 ext. 224

Local Media Contacts
see contact numbers below
604-688-3234

Click here to watch the Canadian Mental Health Association's video about Senator Campbell's award.