Talking About Mental Illness

Local Project for Program Consultant - Bonnie Polych, Niagara, CAMH

In the TAMI program, people who have experience with a mental illness (for example – depression, eating disorders etc.) are given training and then share their experiences by giving in class presentations to secondary school students. Teachers are given resources and curriculum based materials to use before and after the presentations. Providing accurate information can help correct fears, myths and misconceptions many people have about mental illness. Studies have shown that this combination of education and face to face interaction has a powerful impact on changing attitudes.

The Local Project

The TAMI Niagara Committee received a Trillium Grant for three years starting Jan 2009. The committee implemented the program this year in several schools and community events and have already exceeded expectations regarding the number of presentations. The TAMI Niagara Committee will also sponsor parent forums on mental illness through the “Tune into Mental Health and Addictions” public education series and will continue to be a key partner with the annual IMPACT Youth conference.

Current community partners involved with TAMI Niagara include; Canadian Mental Health Association (Lead agency for the Ontario Trillium grant), Niagara Region Public Health Department, Schizophrenia Society of Ontario, Brock University, Niagara Drug Awareness Coalition, Community Mental Health Program, CONTACT Niagara for Children’s and Developmental Services, Niagara Child and Youth Services and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Contact Bonnie Polych

For more on Bonnie's local projects

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