Ten Years of Honouring Courageous Ontarians for their Courage to Come Back

For immediate release

Living With Mental Illness & Addiction Takes Courage
Ten Years of Honouring Courageous Ontarians for their Courage to Come Back

Contact: Jean Geary, 416 535-8501, ext. 4395
Bonnie Perry, 416 535-8501, ext. 4220

(TORONTO -- May 5, 2003) -- Seven extraordinary Ontarians will be honoured for their Courage to Come Back from the challenges of living with mental illness and addiction at a gala awards dinner, which will feature an address by The Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Hosted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation, and presented by RBC Investments, the Tenth Anniversary Courage to Come Back Awards Dinner takes place Thursday, May 15, 2003 at the Westin Harbour Castle Conference Centre. This year also marks the Fifth Anniversary of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

The Honourable Michael Wilson, former Minister of Finance, and The Honourable Bob Rae, former Premier of Ontario, will be among those attending to celebrate the lives of these extraordinary Canadians. Broadcaster and journalist Andy Barrie is the emcee.

The Courage to Come Back Awards is an annual public awareness and fundraising campaign first launched in 1993. The awards recognize the achievements of people across Ontario who have shown courage and determination in the face of mental illness and addiction. The recipients have achieved personal victories, and now serve as models of hope and inspiration for others facing similar circumstances.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is a Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization Collaborating Centre and a teaching hospital fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.

-30-

Short biographies of the seven recipients are attached. More detailed biographies are available on request. The media are invited to help celebrate the lives of these inspiring Canadians by attending the event to be held May 15, 2003 in the Metropolitan Ballroom at the Westin Harbour Castle Conference Centre at One Harbour Square in Toronto.

Reception at 6 p.m., Dinner at 7 p.m., Awards Ceremony at 8 p.m. Members of the media are encouraged to attend the reception; no prior notice is needed. Those who wish to attend the Dinner and Awards Ceremony must make arrangements to do so prior to May 9th by calling Jean Geary at 416 535-8501, ext. 4395, to allow us to plan catering and seating.

Award Recipients will be available for interview during the reception, and in the days leading up to the event by arrangement.