The Power of Advocacy

Thanks to a partnership between Shoppers Drug Mart and CAMH Foundation, CAMH’s Provincial Systems Support Program has created an interactive toolkit to help address the unique mental health needs of women.

“We know gender is a key determinant of mental health,” says Dr. Branka Agic, Director of Knowledge Exchange with PSSP. “Women have higher rates of depression and generalized anxiety disorder than men.”

PSSP promoted the toolkit – the first of a number of initiatives as part of the partnership – at a number of public SHOPPERS LOVE.YOU. events across the province, including the Run for Women, which promotes physical and mental health.

Photo: Meshach Harvey — aka MC Shackalacka – performs at the Gifts of Light Holiday Kick-Off in November 2018 as part of the Mindful MCs. The hip hop group formed after meeting at CAMH.

On Bell Let’s Talk Day, CAMH welcomed Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Christine Elliott and Minister of Infrastructure Monte McNaughton — along with over 100 CAMH staff and volunteers — as the provincial government reconfirmed its commitment to CAMH’s redevelopment project.

“Twenty years ago, the restructuring commission made a decision to integrate mental illness and addiction services under one roof and to transform the Queen Street site, leading to the creation of CAMH. We’re very grateful for that vision – it has enabled a revolution in mental health care,” says Dr. Catherine Zahn.