TORONTO, May 2, 2017 - When most people think about Jim Treliving, his reputation as a savvy investor on Dragon’s Den or his fame as the owner of the Boston Pizza chain come mind.
Few people think immediately of his work as a mental health advocate – but that may be starting to change.
Along with his wife Sandi, Jim recently became Co-Chair of CAMH’s new national initiative to recognize and celebrate Canadians helping to change the course of mental health.
CAMH Difference Makers – 150 Leading Canadians for Mental Health is a national campaign to nominate and celebrate Canadians making an impact in the mental health space, whether through research, philanthropy, advocacy, social change, or inspiration.
It is a cause that Jim feels very personally connected to.
As a former RCMP officer, he remembers a time when mental health patients were called prisoners because they had to be hospitalized. As he shared recently in an interview with the Torontoist, “I thought there were better ways to deal with it.”
In the interview Jim also opened up about the ways mental illness has affected his own family, including the tragic loss of his nephew to suicide.
“None of us had picked up on it. It was devastating,” he told the Torontoist.
In addition to acting as a Co-Chair for this initiative, Jim is a long-time CAMH supporter. His work to raise awareness, end stigma, fundraise and improve treatment at the hospital has positively benefited many in our community.
Now Jim is asking something of us, and of all Canadians directly and indirectly impacted by mental illness:
“It’s about every Canadian getting behind mental health,” Jim told the Torontoist.
Do you know a Difference Maker? Join Jim in his passion for talking more openly about mental illness by nominating and celebrating the Canadians who are changing the course of mental health.
Visit www.camhdifferencemakers.ca and click “Start Your Nomination” today!
Click here to read Sandi and Jim’s full profile in the Torontoist.