OTTAWA—Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will be in Toronto on Friday, April 13, 2012, to raise public awareness of mental health issues and to encourage greater social acceptance of Canadians living with mental illness. Their Excellencies will visit local mental health organizations and meet with Canadians and their families coping with these challenges on a daily basis.
“Sharon and I strongly believe that supporting families and children is essential for the development of a smart and caring nation,” said the Governor General. “We are looking forward to engaging with Canadians who are working extremely hard to find innovative ways to overcome or eliminate social barriers related to mental illness.”
Her Excellency added, “Mental illness is not only a tremendous burden on the person suffering from the disease, but also on family members. We feel is it important to acknowledge the strength, determination and commitment of Canadian organizations reaching out to families in need.”
Friday, April 13
Toronto, Ontario
1 p.m.
Visit to Hincks-Dellcrest Centre
Their Excellencies will visit the facility and meet with young people between the ages of 12 to 17 years who have been diagnosed with severe mental health issues. They will engage in a dialogue with the youths to understand the various challenges they face on a daily basis.
The Hincks-Dellcrest Centre is a children's mental health treatment, research, and teaching centre. It is built on the collective history of two centres: the C.M. Hincks Treatment Centre and the Dellcrest Children’s Centre. This non-profit organization offers a comprehensive range of innovative mental health services to infants, children, youth and their families. For more information, visit www.hincksdellcrest.org.
440 Jarvis Street
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY—Upon arrival of Their Excellencies
Media Information: Caroline Horcher, 416-972-1935 ext 3244 or chorcher@hincksdellcrest.org
2:45 p.m.
Visit to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
Their Excellencies will have the opportunity to tour the Imaging Centre and laboratories. In addition, they will meet with researchers and students to learn about the most up-to-date, advanced research on mental illness.
CAMH is Canada’s largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital, as well as one of the world’s leading research centres in the area of addiction and mental health. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to help transform the lives of people affected by mental health and addiction issues. For more information, visit www.camh.net.
250 College Street (College & Spadina)
OPEN TO MEDIA
Media information: Michael Torres, 416-595-6015 or media@camh.net
8 p.m.
Mad Couture Catwalk Celebrating Workman Arts 25th Anniversary
Their Excellencies will attend the Mad Couture Catwalk, a runway-style presentation of wearable couture by Workman artists that challenges norms, shifts boundaries and inspires dialogue about mental illness and creativity. This event is presented in collaboration with the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) in honour of Workman Arts’
25th anniversary.
Workman Arts is an arts and mental health company that facilitates aspiring, emerging and established artists with mental illness and addiction issues to develop and refine their talents through training programs, public performances or exhibit opportunities, and by partnering with other art organizations. For more information, visit www.workmanarts.com.
Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas Street West
OPEN TO MEDIA – There will also be a photo opportunity upon the arrival of Their Excellencies, at 6:55 p.m.
Media information: Joanne Smale, 416-554-2637 or joanne@planet3com.net
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