The Economy, Workplace and Mental Health – Experts discuss solutions

For Immediate Release – February 11, 2009 – (Toronto) –The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) presents Café Scientifique: Is Work More than Making a Living? Promoting and maintaining mental health in the workplace, at Bymark (66 Wellington Street West) on February 18^th at 5p.m.

This event is open to the media.

Mental illness costs Ontarians about $20 billion annually, with billions more being lost to decreased productivity. And in times of economic hardship, these devastating costs are only likely to increase.

While we know that work can contribute positively to overall health and can promote recovery from mental illness, at times it can also have the opposite effect, contributing to stress, anxiety and depression.

How do we deal with these conflicting forces?

Hosted by Ted Cadsby, former Executive VP of Retail Distribution at CIBC and Director of the CAMH Foundation, this edition of Café Scientifique is an open forum to discuss the challenges faced by employers and employees when it comes to issues of mental health and wellness in the workplace. The panel of experts will provide insight into the complex relationships of work, health and productivity. The discussion will explore promising approaches to promoting and maintaining mental health and addressing mental illness in the work place.

Panelists:

Dr. Carolyn Dewa, Program Head of the Work and Well-being Research and Evaluation Program, CAMH and Chair, Canadian Institutes of Health Research/Public Health Agency Applied Public Health

Dr. Guy Faulkner, Associate Professor, Faculty of Physical Education and Health, University of Toronto

Dr. Zindel Segal, Head of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, CAMH and Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto

Complimentary refreshments will be available at 4:30 p.m., with the discussion beginning at 5:00 p.m.

To confirm attendance or for more information on the speakers, please contact Michael Torres, Media Relations, CAMH at 416 595 6015

-30-

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (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, prevention and health promotion to transform the lives of people affected by mental health and addiction issues.

http://http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/ is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health-care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to nearly 12,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.

Les Instituts de recherche en sante du Canada (IRSC)sont l'organisme de financement de la recherche en santé du gouvernement du Canada. Leur objectif est de créer de nouvelles connaissances scientifiques et de favoriser leur application en vue d'améliorer la santé, d'offrir de meilleurs produits et services de santé et de renforcer le système de santé au Canada. Composés de 13 instituts, les IRSC offrent leadership et soutien à près de 12 000 chercheurs et stagiaires en santé dans tout le Canada.