Forensic Patient & Family Council | CAMH

Get to know our patient and family advisors!

Family Advisors
		Carol Pinnington Carol’s brother resided at CAMH for a several years and lived in many different parts of the facility. Since the passing of her parents she has been actively involved in the care and advocacy for her brother’s best interests. Her desire is to share her experiences as a family member to discuss key building blocks to support and empower the patients, staff and the families. She believes it is important to develop stronger communication for a more positive and engaging experience for the benefit of the patient and their families. She has many interests and is very physically active but her most meaningful time is spending with her husband and 2 adult boys.

		Andy Colatosti Retired from the Consumer-packaged goods industry after 40+ years. Currently doing some part time work as a consultant helping organizations to bring their products to market. He is a proud Grandfather to an 11 year old girl and an 8 year old boy who he loves to spend time with. He is an avid reader, enjoys exercise and keeping active by walking 10+ KM daily. He enjoys all sports especially golf, with a special passion for hockey and his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs. He is honored to be a Co-Chair of the Patient and family council as a family member and is looking forward to contributing in any way he possibly can. Having had the experience of seeing and hearing the day to day goings on through the eyes of a loved one, he hopes to be able to take this and build on it in a positive way for the benefit of both the patients as well as the staff.

		Tessia Hill Tessia would like to contribute her ideas and experiences in the field of mental health to the council. She is excited about the opportunity to hear from various speakers, doctors, family members, and the committee staff who will share valuable information at CAMH. Being a member and having a family member at CAMH gives her peace of mind, knowing that great things are happening to help this organization grow. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her son who has mental health issues and resides at CAMH, spending time with their 12-year-old dog Sophia, and listening to music of all genres, depending on her mood.

		Annette Hansen Annette is “retired” and still working as a gallery curator and retail associate. Her focus is on her ceramic art design work. Golfing is one of her renewed interests. Travel, reading and gardening have always brought her joy. Since her loved one has and is a client of CAMH she hopes to be able to help others through the “maze” of care opportunities. She is honoured to be part of the Family Patient Forensic Council, perhaps with her experiences, build on the care needed.

Patient Advisors
		Steven Torresan Steven Torresan is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and support systems, drawing from personal experiences with recovery and resilience. As a co-chair of CAMH's Forensic Patient and Family Council, he brings a unique perspective to the table, having navigated the complexities of the forensic mental health system firsthand. With a commitment to fostering understanding and collaboration between patients, families, and healthcare teams, he strives to promote patient-centered care and empower individuals to navigate their recovery journey with dignity and support. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, he is proud of his reputation, working tirelessly to break down stigma and promote holistic well-being within the forensic mental health community.

		Michael Colatosti Michael is a patient with CAMH's Forensic Mental Health Services. Having lived experience and a desire to advocate for patients' rights, he now serves on a number of committees at CAMH including the Empowerment Council and the Forensic Patient and Family Council. In his free time he enjoys exercising, gardening, reading all genres and re-watching HBO's The Wire ad infinitum. He has recently enjoyed watching sumo wrestling.

		Maria Lawrence Maria is a former Registered Nurse, who is currently an outpatient at CAMH. She hopes to both contribute from her lived experience, while gaining valuable insights and knowledge from the Forensic Family Patient Council.