News Highlights Connexions Winter 2004/05
CAMH Connexions
Minister of Health visits CAMH
On December 3, 2004, the Honourable George Smitherman, Minister of Health and Long-term Care, visited CAMH. The Minister accepted
an invitation to tour several units at CAMH extended by CAMH's Chair of the Board of Trustees Jamie Anderson and the Presidents
of ONA Local 054 and OPSEU Local 500.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research Funding Announcement
On November 9, 2004, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of State (Public Health), was at CAMH to announce health research
funding on behalf of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Minister Bennett announced a total of $74 million
in funding for Ontario scientists, and highlighted the four grants being received by CAMH researchers. The scientists that
received the funding include: Dr. Shitij Kapur for his research into brain imaging in diagnosing schizophrenia. Dr. Jeffrey
Meyer for his research into the treatment of depression. Dr. Jerry Warsh for his research into the treatment of bipolar disorder.
Dr. Paul Fletcher for his research into addictive behaviour. Following the announcement, Minister Bennett was taken on a tour
of our PET Research Centre.
Premier McGuinty visits CAMH
The Premier of Ontario, Dalton McGuinty visited CAMH on November 22, 2004. The Premier was at CAMH for a short discussion
outlining the importance of the addiction and mental health system in Ontario, followed by a tour of the Dual Diagnosis unit.
Premier McGuinty was greeted by Dr. Paul Garfinkel, President and CEO, Jamie Anderson, Chair of CAMH's Board of Trustees and
Michael Wilson, Senior Chairman of the Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Addiction and Mental Health.
The Life of Me
The Life of Me, a documentary by Manfred Becker, follows two Workman Theatre actors who participated in the Madness and Arts World Festival. It was televised on TVO's The View from Here in November.
The Life of Me challenges our perceptions of mental illness through the eye-opening stories of two performing artists Rachel Manning and
George Vukojevic, who were aspiring actors in New York City, until their careers were cut short by mental illness. George
was diagnosed with schizophrenia and Rachel with bipolar disorder. For the next 10 years, keeping their lives together became
a severe challenge. But then an opportunity arose to take to the stage again through Toronto's Workman Theatre Project. The
Project is a leader in the professional theatre and visual art fields for its inclusion of people with mental health issues.
nMental-health survivors Rachel Manning and George Vukojevic star in Manfred Becker's documentary film The Life Of Me.
Centre for Addiction
