Centre for Prevention Science officially opens doors: Centre pioneers new approaches to preventing many societal youth problems

For immediate release - March 9, 2005 (London): The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is pleased to announce the official opening of the CAMH Centre for Prevention Science in London, Ontario. Part of the Child, Youth and Family Program at CAMH and the University of Toronto, the new Centre for Prevention Science houses the "Fourth R" project for schools, a comprehensive violence prevention and healthy relationship program which is currently being piloted and evaluated in London area high schools throughout the Thames Valley District School Board.

Dr. David Wolfe, RBC Chair in Children's Mental Health at CAMH is leading the Centre's research, which will address issues in prevention of health-related problems among children and youth. "One of the best ways to reduce the risk of harm during early to mid-adolescence is to assist youth in forming healthy relationships with their peers, parents and dating partners," says Wolfe. "Healthy relationships with children and adolescents should be a public health priority."

The "Fourth R" is a program for grade nine students that has been developed to help adolescents form healthy relationships and make better choices while they navigate critical developmental minefields such as substance use, sexual relationships, bullying and violence. Through open dialogue and role-playing, the curriculum engages teachers and students in enthusiastic discussion about peer pressure, media literacy, emotional and psychological abuse and healthy communication.

The CAMH Centre for Prevention Science works closely with academic researchers and community partners to implement effective, long-lasting prevention initiatives for children and youth, a priority area for CAMH. The Centre collaborates closely with the University of Western Ontario's Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children, and has partnerships with school boards and community agencies.  CAMH is committed to transforming new knowledge into practical resources, and through careful evaluation and dissemination, the Centre For Prevention Science plans to elevate the study of prevention to that of a science, and a fundamental part of our services to children, youth, and families.

CAMH provides treatment services and has implemented a number of clinical, educational, research and program development initiatives for adolescents with addiction and/or mental health issues. More information is available online at www.camh.net.

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.

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For more information contact:
Sylvia Hagopian, CAMH Media Relations Coordinator at (416) 595-6015

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