Our reasons for giving might differ, but we all play a vital part in this movement.
Thank You for Turning Your Reason Into Action
Thanks to you, we’re able to support people when they need it most. We know that, at its worst, mental illness can be fatal but CAMH researchers are able to intervene sooner. Last year, thousands of people accessed treatment at CAMH that continues to change and save lives. That’s thousands more people and groups of loved ones waking up with hope today.
Our optimism is bolstered by the groundbreaking research happening now. This year, we launched our Today campaign to further show that research is saving lives today. Whether it’s a peptide that prevents posttraumatic stress disorder, molecules that reverse memory loss, or a supplement for postpartum depression, research at CAMH leads to treatments that save lives and give hope to people when it’s most needed. Thank you to our community of donors, supporters, researchers, clinicians, patients, and to you.
Sarah's story
“I’ve lived with my mental illness my whole life. In 2017, I learned about how CAMH helps people in crisis. I've been a monthly donor ever since because I want CAMH to be available for people in need. I'm grateful CAMH is here and I'm proud to support them. ”— Sarah Gallinger, CAMH monthly donor
Pearl's story
“Our son lost his battle with depression and died by suicide on May 16, 2007 at the age of 19. We want to do what we can to help eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide.”— Pearl Moffat, CAMH Tribute Donor
Ravi's story
“CAMH helped me with my daughter. They took care of her and gave her the space she needed to recover. Now she volunteers to help others.”— Ravi Venkatesh, CAMH monthly Donor
Brad and Brian's story
“Mental health is health. Thanks to CAMH, there are new health services and research for our 2SLGBTQ+ communities across the country.”— Bradley Berg & Brian Rolfes, CAMH Donor & Match Sponsor
Darren's story
“When Amy smiled, the whole world lit up. I would have liked for her to know that there was a different way forward. So today, I encourage you to ask the tough questions: “How are you? How are you really?” And then, just be willing to listen. You might change a life, or save one. Mental health is health. This is why I support CAMH.”— Darren Gilroy, Sun Life Canada, CAMH Corporate Donor & Sunrise Challenge Sponsor
Sarah's Story
“I’ve lived with my mental illness my whole life. In 2017, I learned about how CAMH helps people in crisis. I've been a monthly donor ever since because I want CAMH to be available for people in need. I'm grateful CAMH is here and I'm proud to support them.”— Sarah, CAMH Monthly Donor
Pearl's story
“Our son lost his battle with depression and died by suicide on May 16, 2007 at the age of 19. We want to do what we can to help eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide.”— Pearl Moffat, CAMH Tribute Donor
Ravi's story
“CAMH helped me with my daughter. They took care of her and gave her the space she needed to recover. Now she volunteers to help others.”— Ravi Venkatesh, CAMH Monthly Donor
Brad and Brian's story
“Mental health is health. Thanks to CAMH, there are new health services and research for our 2SLGBTQ+ communities across the country.”— Bradley Berg & Brian Rolfes, CAMH Donor & Match Sponsor
Darren's story
“Let’s have a tough conversation. I’ll go first: It was late October in 2019, and on a whim I drove from Waterloo to Owen Sound to visit my daughter, Amy. I took her out to lunch to celebrate her new apartment. She was radiating such positivity, telling me about her dreams, her friends, her plans for work. Seeing her that day, you’d never guess how hard she was working to overcome her personal struggle with mental health. She told me that she was glad she could count on me, and I told her that no matter what, I'd be there for her. I hold on to that conversation so tightly. A week later I was driving back in the middle of the night. The snow seemed impenetrable. I had a vice-grip on the steering wheel, but it was hard to tell whether it was because of the driving conditions or my deepening sense of dread. Amy was in the hospital, fighting for her life. I could tell by the urgency in my sister’s voice on the phone that I was going to be too late. When I finally got there, I took Amy’s hand in mine, laid my head on her chest, and wept. This topic isn't easy to talk about, but we need to find a way to start the conversation. Too often, our desire to focus on the positive steers us away from creating space for more difficult topics. Even though it’s hard to write about, I’m sharing my story so that you know you’re not alone. Mental health is health. This is why I support CAMH. If you are struggling, please reach out. You can even contact me directly. I’m always here to listen. If you would like resources to help open the conversation with someone you care about, CAMH Foundation has a great guide on their website. When Amy smiled, the whole world lit up. I would have liked for her to know that there was a different way forward. So today, I encourage you to ask the tough questions: “How are you? How are you really?” And then, just be willing to listen. You might change a life, or save one. ”— Darren Gilroy, Sun Life Canada, CAMH Corporate Donor & Sunrise Challenge Sponsor
Pamela and Francisco's story
“Although the primarily reason for our family’s desire to launch a Donation Campaign was to honor the memory of our daughter Bridgett, we were also motivated to do so to continue the conversation and movement aimed at shattering the huge stigma that still surrounds mental health and addictions. The consistent work done by CAMH allows dreams, hope and happiness to go on.”— Pamela & Francisco Garcia, CAMH Tribute Donor
The Toor Family's story
“We hope to inspire others in our community, particularly South Asians, to prioritize mental health and encourage them to give philanthropically to this area. It is important that we collectively work to reduce stigma by eliminating barriers to accessing and seeking out mental health care and treatment.”— Sukhdev Toor, Toor Family Foundation, CAMH Donor
Ted Cadsby's story
“CAMH is responding today while investigating the future of mental illness treatment. I have tremendous confidence in CAMH. CAMH is a beneficiary in my will so I can continue to support this cause for a long time to come. My teenage daughters and I have open and honest conversations about my will and my legacy. They are very proud that supporting CAMH is part of our family plan.”— Ted Cadsby, CAMH Legacy Donor
Anita's story
“As a person living with mental illness, my journey was a lonely one. When I discovered CAMH I didn't feel alone anymore. I choose to give to CAMH because of the knowledge, support and caring CAMH inspires.”— Anita Joshi, CAMH Donor
Pamela and Francisco's story
“Although the primarily reason for our family’s desire to launch a Donation Campaign was to honor the memory of our daughter Bridgett, we were also motivated to do so to continue the conversation and movement aimed at shattering the huge stigma that still surrounds mental health and addictions. Our family was delighted to know that the proceeds of Bridgett’s successful Donation Campaign are already hard at work to help those affected with an opportunity for recovery and a fulfilling life with a brighter future. People who are affected with mental health and addictions are brave, courageous, resilient and strong, but often their lives are short preventing them from achieving many of their dreams. The remarkable, noble and consistent work done by CAMH is always rendered with utmost dignity and respect and allows dreams, hope and happiness to go on and for that reason we intend to continue supporting CAMH’s initiatives. ”— Pamela & Francisco, CAMH Tribute Donor
The Toor Family's story
“We hope to inspire others in our community, particularly South Asians, to prioritize mental health and encourage them to give philanthropically to this area. It is important that we collectively work to reduce stigma by eliminating barriers to accessing and seeking out mental health care and treatment. Supporting efforts that provide comprehensive mental health care…is one step toward such a goal and your contribution can make a meaningful and lasting impact.”— Sukhdev Toor, Toor Family Foundation, CAMH Donor
Ted Cadsby's story
“CAMH is responding today while investigating the future of mental illness treatment. I have tremendous confidence in CAMH. CAMH is a beneficiary in my will so I can continue to support this cause for a long time to come. My teenage daughters and I have open and honest conversations about my will and my legacy. They are very proud that supporting CAMH is part of our family plan.”— Ted Cadsby, CAMH Legacy Donor
Anita's story
“As a person living with mental illness, my journey was a lonely one. When I discovered CAMH I didn't feel alone anymore. I choose to give to CAMH because of the knowledge, support and caring CAMH inspires.”— Anita Joshi, CAMH Donor
Our Movement Fuels Life-Saving Progress Today
CAMH has come a long way from being a walled asylum in the 1800s to a symbol of hope in 2021. Today, our research enables us to treat the most complex mental health issues in an open and welcoming environment, a stark contrast to the past. While our understanding of the brain has never been better, it’s clear that we must go further.
Our Today campaign gives a voice to people with lived experience and shares how mental health research is saving lives today. With your support, CAMH researchers lead life-saving research in depression, dementia, PTSD, and more, while saving lives in the process. As the name suggests, Today reflects the urgency of the mental health crisis, and the hope being built right here, right now.
100,000+
virtual care visits made possible by accelerating training of frontline staff
14,000+
visits made possible by our new and expanded Gerald Sheff & Shanitha Kachan Emergency Department
15,000+
patients supported through Gifts of Light programming, experiences and basic necessities
Improving Addiction Treatment
“I wouldn’t be here without treatment,” admitted Stacey Bowen, who overcame addiction and became a CAMH peer support worker. “I’m so thankful to every CAMH donor. You’re changing the lives of a lot of people. I’ve seen it. For me, CAMH has been a place of hope and change.”
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Championing Early Intervention
Alex Stewart and his mother, Susan Conway, found hope after Alex’s life-and-death experience with schizoaffective disorder. After finally finding a treatment that allowed him to manage his mental illness, Alex recently moved out on his own and is completing his university degree.
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Giving New Moms Hope
A CAMH-developed nutritional supplement is potentially eliminating baby blues and postpartum depression, which affects roughly 75 per cent of new moms including Carole Dagher who, roughly a week after becoming a mother, was suddenly hit with the full force of postpartum depression.
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Harnessing Traditional Knowledge
Eddie Gough’s adoption into a white family detached him from his Indigenous heritage. After years of addiction, he found CAMH’s Aboriginal Services, which he says saved his life. He now mentors Indigenous young adults as a mental health and addiction counsellor based on the land.
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Preventing PTSD
Firefighter Rob Leathen responded to a fatal car crash that changed his life. Decades of on-the-job traumas affected his mental health, leading him to CAMH where researchers have developed a peptide that prevents traumatic memories from forming in the brain.
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Reversing Memory Loss
CAMH researchers have discovered new molecules that reverse memory loss associated with aging. For Paul Lea, who lives with dementia, CAMH helps him with the challenges and triumphs of learning how to live again.
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Personalizing Care
Rohan Mehta sought help for his depression well into his 30s. After four years as a patient at CAMH, he now co-chairs CAMH’s Patient Advisory Committee, a group dedicated to advancing patient-centred care models at CAMH.
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Addressing Systemic Barriers
Because of discrimination and oppression, transgender and gender diverse people are significantly more likely to attempt suicide than those who are cisgender. Through models like ECHO Ontario Mental Health, CAMH is working with the 2SLGBTQ+ community and other like-minded partners to reduce health disparities.
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Sharing Our Progress
Thank you for being a part of this movement. There are many accomplishments to celebrate because we worked toward them together. These are just a few of the exciting ways the mental health movement has progressed at CAMH in 2021.
The BrainHealth Databank is a repository of many types and sources of data—such as sleep and physical activity records from smartwatches, blood samples and brain images from labs, and assessments from health care visits. This information helps us better understand and diagnose mental illness, and find new treatments and prevention strategies. It represents CAMH’s commitment to collaborative patient-centred care enhanced by machine-learning, and transforming diagnosis, treatment, and mental illness care.
The databank has already been pivotal in a largest-of-its-kind CAMH-led study where nearly 90,000 people volunteered to have their sleep patterns monitored for one week. The data revealed an association between mental illness and poor sleep quality. Using patient data securely stored in the BrainHealth Databankwhich consists of more than 4.4 million data pointsCAMH clinicians are discovering ways to deliver improved, personalized mental health care in the present, while also accelerating future clinical research, discovery and innovation.
Enhancing Personalized Care
The BrainHealth Databank is a repository of many types and sources of data—such as sleep and physical activity records from smartwatches, blood samples and brain images from labs, and assessments from health care visits. This information helps us better understand and diagnose mental illness, and find new treatments and prevention strategies. It represents CAMH’s commitment to collaborative patient-centred care enhanced by machine-learning, and transforming diagnosis, treatment, and mental illness care.
The databank has already been pivotal in a largest-of-its-kind CAMH-led study where nearly 90,000 people volunteered to have their sleep patterns monitored for one week. The data revealed an association between mental illness and poor sleep quality. Using patient data securely stored in the BrainHealth Databankwhich consists of more than 4.4 million data pointsCAMH clinicians are discovering ways to deliver improved, personalized mental health care in the present, while also accelerating future clinical research, discovery and innovation.
Serving from the Heart of the Hospital
“Gifts of Light is more than just another CAMH program they are the solution to a problem they are a bridge for the health equity gap they are hope and they are vital!” Janu, Recreational Therapist, Downtown Central Outpatient Program
Since 2008, Gifts of Light has shown patients that they are not alone in their recovery and that mission has never been more important than it’s been over the past year. In 2021, up to 850 patients relied on Gifts of Light every month. To meet growing needs throughout the pandemic, Gifts of Light scaled up its virtual offerings from 12 hours a month in April 2020 to more than 200 hours a month by March 2021.
Over the summer, and following health and safety guidelines, Gifts of Light welcomed its dedicated volunteers back on site. In-person patient programs also resumed with outdoor drumming sessions, Smile Serenades performances, and indoor Therapeutic Neighbourhood programs taking place in the brand new patient recreational spaces. Gifts of Light also safely hosted its second annual Carnival (formerly called Caribana) where 120 patients enjoyed soca and reggae music, dancing, and refreshing pineapple and coconut drinks!
Rising Together for Mental Health
“I’m rising for change,” said Vanessa Poulin, former CAMH patient and current mental health advocate. “There’s a shift in attitude towards mental illnesses and I want to do everything I can to be a part of it.” From May 31 to June 6, 2021, Vanessa was one of more than 4,600 participants in CAMH’s inaugural Sunrise Challenge™. This new flagship fundraiser encouraged people to rise with the sun and do something positive for their mental health for one week while raising funds in support of mental health programs and research. It also included daily virtual events such as yoga and concerts for anybody who wanted to join in. Nearly 23,000 people donated more than $2.5M in support of mental health through our first Sunrise Challenge™. Every donation helps us lower suicide rates, reduce the disability caused by mental illness, and help people reach meaningful recovery. We hope to see you at the 2022 Sunrise Challenge™, which is scheduled to take place during the last week of May 2022!
Dismantling Anti-Black racism
We are committed to health equity and creating a healing space free from prejudice and discrimination. Our strategy to dismantle anti-Black racism outlines 22 actions to ensure safe, accessible and equitable care for Black patients and families; build an equitable working environment for Black staff, and; eliminate unfair treatment for Black populations within CAMH and across the mental health system.
Shkaabe Makwa
Shkaabe Makwa, launched in 2020, is the first hospital-based centre in Canada designed to drive culturally relevant system initiatives to achieve health equity and community wellness. It stands alongside CAMH’s Truth and Reconciliation Plan, a three-year strategy to build stronger relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people at CAMH.
womenmind
womenmind is a growing community of philanthropists committed to closing the gender gap in mental health. In 2021, the philanthropic program welcomed Dr. Daisy Singla, CAMH’s first-ever womenmind-funded scientist. Dr. Singla leads research that will increase access to treatments in preventing and treating perinatal mental illness.
Dismantling Anti-Black Racism
We are committed to health equity and creating a healing space free from prejudice and discrimination. Our strategy to dismantle anti-Black racism outlines 22 actions to ensure safe, accessible and equitable care for Black patients and families; build an equitable working environment for Black staff, and; eliminate unfair treatment for Black populations within CAMH and across the mental health system.
Shkaabe Makwa
Shkaabe Makwa, launched in 2020, is the first hospital-based centre in Canada designed to drive culturally relevant system initiatives to achieve health equity and community wellness. It stands alongside CAMH’s Truth and Reconciliation Plan, a three-year strategy to build stronger relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people at CAMH.
womenmind
womenmind is a growing community of philanthropists committed to closing the gender gap in mental health. In 2021, the philanthropic program welcomed Dr. Daisy Singla, CAMH’s first-ever womenmind-funded scientist. Dr. Singla leads research that will increase access to treatments in preventing and treating perinatal mental illness.
Mental health research can transform stigma into understanding and hope. Thank you for supporting CAMH.
Let's Continue to Make an Impact Together
Thank you for turning your reason into action this year! We are extremely optimistic for what is to come and that is because of your unwavering support. In addition to having different reasons for joining the mental health movement, we also participate in the movement in different ways. Whether you lead your own fundraiser, support CAMH through donating, volunteer your time, or are an advocate, your efforts advance the movement well into 2022 and beyond.
We hope you take pride in our shared accomplishments, are energized by knowing that you belong to a powerful and growing movement, and are inspired by the positive impact you’re creating in our communities.
What's Your Reason?
Share your reason for supporting CAMH for a chance to be featured on our social media channels and inspire others on Bell Let’s Talk Day (January 26, 2022).
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