Changing Minds

Finding Your Rhythm

Thanks to donor support, Gifts of Light is creating a sense of community through the joy of drum making and playing. In partnership with Vibe Arts, a community arts organization in Toronto, Gifts of Light gave clients the opportunity to participate in “Beat of Your Own Drum (BYOD)” last summer — and its impact continues to echo across CAMH.

Over three weeks, more than 10 clients worked with drum master, Saikou, to build their own Djembe drums. It was a fun, hands-on experience. Clients chose symbols from Ghana to draw onto the body of the drum and were responsible for sanding, waxing and preparing it for the intricate tuning process.

Each class, the clients started to gain a new sense of confidence about not only the drum making process, but their identity within the group. "Friendships were developing, and our clients began sharing stories, skills and compliments with one another,” said Quinn Kirby, Gifts of Light Program Manager.

The finished drums were donated to units across the hospital, so that everyone could enjoy them. Gifts of Light continued to facilitate weekly workshops throughout the fall, teaching clients and staff how to use the drums and celebrate the healing nature of music together.

“We were overwhelmed with the popularity and success of the drumming programs in 2017 and discussions with Vibe Arts are well underway to bring additional music and art programs to our clients throughout 2018,” said Kirby.

Watch the drum making process below and donate today to help more CAMH clients build confidence.

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Creating Hope for Complete Recovery

In early 2018, CAMH announced the Azrieli Centre for Adult Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Mental Health, the first centre of its kind in Canada.

Created through a visionary $10.4-million gift from the Azrieli Foundation and led by Dr. Yona Lunsky, the Centre will give adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities and mental illness greater opportunities to lead healthier lives and reach their full potential.

The Azrieli Centre for Adult Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Mental Health will fuel new breakthroughs, train the next generation of experts, provide better care and share groundbreaking knowledge with the world.

“This CAMH Centre will re-imagine care and supports for people with neurodevelopmental disabilities who have the experience of mental illness,” said Dr. Catherine Zahn, President and CEO of CAMH. “We’re sending a strong message that individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities deserve equitable access to the resources of our health care system and our society.”

Your support helps fuel breakthroughs — donate today.

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Meet a CAMH Change Agent

Zach Schwartz is hopeful. The self-described optimist says it’s an “exciting time” for mental health — and he’s doing his best to seize the moment. A proud CAMH volunteer and supporter, Zach is a Change Agent, making monthly donations to fuel life-saving research and care, and a board member of CAMH Engage, a young professionals’ group raising funds and awareness for mental health.

Why did you decide to get involved with CAMH?

I struggled with — and indeed still struggle with — depression and anxiety, which was most acute during university. I was fortunate to get the help I needed and that put me on an upward, albeit non-linear, trajectory. CAMH is uniquely positioned in its ability to drive change for mental health: locally, nationally and internationally. The hospital impacts policy, produces groundbreaking research, and does extraordinary clinical work that’s making a real difference in people’s lives.

You’re a Change Agent, giving monthly to CAMH. What impact do these kinds of gifts have?

Monthly donations provide the hospital with a reliable and predictable source of funds that offer researchers and clinicians some much-needed flexibility — so they can focus all of their efforts on leading discovery and improving care for patients. I might periodically make supplemental, one-time gifts to specific areas relevant to me and to my CAMH Engage colleagues.

You’re also having an impact in the community as a member of CAMH Engage. How did you become part of that group?

I heard about CAMH Engage through Alex Tapscott, who I’ve known since high school [Alex’s mother, Ana Lopes, is former Chair and current member of the CAMH Foundation Board of Directors]. Given my personal experience, I wanted to get involved. It’s been extremely rewarding. CAMH Engage raises a meaningful amount of money and, equally important, raises awareness about mental health.

The subcommittee I’m co-chairing right now is focused on community outreach — a new area for us and one that we’re quite excited about. We’re developing innovative opportunities for businesses of any size to support CAMH.

It sounds like you are doing a lot of great work with CAMH. What would you say to others looking to contribute?

Talking about mental health with your family, friends and colleagues is a great start! CAMH and the Foundation both have some great options for leveraging your talents to help you make a difference.

It’s an exciting time for CAMH and mental health in general. There’s still a lot of work to do. In the current political climate, particularly south of the border, insalubrious media discussion — or more accurately, speculation — about mental health may be counteracting some of our efforts to reduce stigma. Still, attitudes are changing and CAMH is leading the way — not just in research and clinical successes, but also in changing hearts and minds.

Join the mental health movement — donate today!

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Encouraging Courage

For Jamie Dew, living with constant anxiety and sadness just felt normal. For most of his life, he had managed to power through each day, carrying the weight of an undiagnosed mental illness. Then in his early 20s, his symptoms took over and he simply couldn’t get out of bed.

In the years since, Jamie has made not only a commitment to his own health, but also the health of others.

“I remember going into my first outpatient group and sitting in a room with strangers, feeling totally nervous and, to be honest, a bit skeptical,” says Jamie. “But then I saw the look in somebody’s eyes from across the room when I told my story. They were saying, ‘I get it.’ It flipped a switch in me and I realized the power in sharing stories and supporting each other. None of us are as alone as we feel.”

That connection and understanding inspired Jamie to help others talk about their own experiences. He recently launched a podcast called “A Show of Strength” to give others a forum to share their stories.

The podcast features down-to-earth and in-depth conversations that “encourage courage,” Jamie’s personal mantra.

After all, who couldn’t use a little more courage in their life? “Maybe there are people out there listening that will also have that ‘aha’ moment, right?” says Jamie

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