Former Lieutenant Governor James Bartleman Joins CAMH Board

For Immediate Release - September 6, 2007 (Toronto) - When the Honourable James K. Bartleman hangs up his official robes as Ontario’s 27^th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, he will not be leaving his passion for the rights of people with mental illness and addictions behind. The former LG is joining the Board of Trustees at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) -- the academic teaching hospital whose work he knows so well—and will be attending his first CAMH board meeting on September 20.

“CAMH is Canada’s leading mental health and addictions teaching hospital, but it is also a force for change. CAMH has made fighting the stigma of mental illness and addictions a top priority— the prime example being the redevelopment of its institutionalized Queen Street site into an urban village, based on care. I want to help CAMH win the battle against stigma and discrimination.”

The Hon. Mr. Bartleman has courageously shared his own story of mental illness—post- traumatic depression that was finally stabilized through treatment. He used his platform as the Queen’s representative in Ontario to speak out on behalf of those who have been marginalized by mental illnesses, helping put a public face onto the 1 in 5 people who will develop a serious mental disorder in their lifetime.

“The stigma still surrounding mental illness and addiction is insidious—it is the main reason why 3 out of 4 people with depression in Canada today do not get the care they need,” the former Lieutenant Governor says. “Shame, fear and neglect prevent people from reaching help, and the tragedy is that most mental illness is highly treatable.”

Hon. Bartleman has had a long relationship with CAMH, acting as Honourary Patron, displaying the artwork of CAMH clients in his chambers at Queen’s Park, and lending his image and personal story to CAMH’s Transforming Lives anti-stigma advertising Campaign.

Dr. Paul Garfinkel, President and CEO, CAMH thinks the appointment of Hon. Bartleman is a perfect partnership. “If James Bartleman had succumbed to his depression and deprived our province of the enormous contributions of his public service, Ontario would be a much poorer place today. He offers hope to the millions of Ontarians currently struggling with mental illness and addictions. We at CAMH are delighted to have Hon. Mr. Bartleman join our Board of Trustees and continue his work with CAMH,” he said. “His wisdom and courage are invaluable to the work we do.”

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada’s leading addiction and mental health teaching hospital. Integrating clinical care, scientific research, education, policy development and health promotion, CAMH transforms the lives of people impacted by mental health and addiction issues.

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Media contacts:

For the Honourable James K. Bartleman: Nanda Casucci-Byrne, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, 416-325-7781; for CAMH, Michael Torres, Media Relations, 416-595-6015