Driving The Mental Health Movement Forward: Five Actions

The Difference Makers Symposium was the culmination of a year-long national conversation

The conversation on mental health started with a call from CAMH and a National Committee of leading experts and advocates for Canadians to nominate those making a difference in the mental health space, in any capacity, local or national.

By the July 1st deadline over 3,700 names were put forward.

Throughout the fall, the conversation expanded as we released the names and stories of the selected 150 Difference Makers.

From sold-out celebration events, to national media coverage, to engagement in three Discussion Papers inspired by the lived experiences of the Difference Makers, people in Canada showed us time and again how deeply they understand the value of shining a spotlight on those helping to lead the way for mental health — one of the most under-addressed health issues of our time.

What will you do to help drive the mental health movement forward?

As our year-long national conversation on mental health draws to a close, we wish to thank all those who engaged in the dialogue.  A special thank you to National Chairs Sandi and Jim Treliving, members of the Difference Makers National and Nominations Committees, the CAMH Youth Engagement Team, and all of our sponsors for your passion and leadership.

To our 150 Difference Makers, as well as the many other change makers we met along the way, thank you for your impact, and thank you for being the kind of people who would do this important work with or without recognition.

We close this initiative ignited by the revelation that Canadians will keep talking, and keep acting so long as people living with mental illness face injustice.

What will you do to help drive the mental health movement forward?

• Follow CAMH’s new advocacy campaign: #MentalHealthIsHealth.
• Engage in one of the five key actions identified at the Symposium.
• Keep the momentum going.

In the words of Difference Makers Symposium panelist and National Committee member Sheldon Kennedy: “Don’t go away".