 |
 |
 |
|
| Whitby Mental Health Centre Awarded for Leading Practices | |
|
November 12th, 2007
(Whitby, Ontario) November 9, 2007 – On November 7, 2007 Whitby Mental Health Centre (WMHC) and community partners proudly accepted one of eight “IBM Leading Practices Awards” at the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) HealthAchieve 2007 convention. The award was granted by the Editorial Board of Healthcare Quarterly and the Educational Services of OHA for the “Summits on Stigma – Enhancing the Patient Experience through Destigmatizing People with Mental Illness”. Criteria for submission were based on the OHA HealthAchieve 2007 theme: “Inspiring Ideas & Innovation” as it relates to the Patient Experience. The award recognizes WMHC for its Leading Practices as presented at the OHA HealthAchieve 2007, demonstrating the originality, relevance, use of evidence, practical implications and objectivity of the project. The award-winning “Summits on Stigma” is a collaborative project by community partners involved in the TAMI (Talking About Mental Illness) Coalition. Members include:  Canadian
Mental Health Association - Durham BranchCommunity
Members Durham
Catholic District School Board Durham
District School Board Durham
Family Court Clinic Durham
Mental Health Services Mood
Disorders Association of Durham Pinewood
Centre of Lakeridge Health Resources
for Exceptional Children and Youth The
Youth Centre Whitby
Mental Health CentreThe purpose of the Summits/TAMI is to bring together community agencies, schools, youth, people with mental illness and other community members to raise awareness programs for secondary school students. The Summits involve day-long gatherings of student ambassadors who are taught about mental illness through a series of presentations by consumers/survivors of mental illness and professionals. These presentations focus on giving the ambassadors the tools necessary to build strong “anti-stigma” teams within their schools. Bob Heeney, TAMI Chair and WMHC Child and Youth Worker / Professional Practice Leader, believes that encouraging people to talk about mental health challenges is the first step to broader acceptance of this challenging issue. |
Having won the 2007 Minister’s Innovation Award for Innovations in
Health Promotion, the program has been a huge success in driving awareness
about mental health. About TAMI (Talking About Mental Illness) Durham The TAMI Coalition of Durham is a coalition of community agencies, schools, youth, people with mental illness and other community members working together to build awareness, understanding and compassion about mental illness and mental health issues. Established in 2002, the Coalition delivers TAMI programs in the community free of charge. To date, the Coalition has spoken to more than 4500 students at 35 high schools across Durham. About WMHC Whitby Mental Health Centre (WMHC) is a public hospital that serves a population of 2.8 million residents and employs over 1000 people. WMHC provides a range of specialized mental health programs for inpatients and outpatients throughout a primary service area that includes Durham Region, York Region, Scarborough, Toronto, Haliburton, Northumberland, Peterborough Counties and the City of Kawartha Lakes. WMHC also operates treatment residences in Stouffville and Oshawa; provides specialized community outreach services; and supports residents in privately operated Homes for Special Care. In addition, the Centre is actively involved in mental health research and education activities. WMHC and its Board of Directors are committed to working in consultation with the community at large towards reaching its vision and implementing its strategic directions. For more information on strategic planning initiatives and operational data, or to provide feedback on program services, policies or the facility, please contact WMHC Information at 905-668-5881 ext. 6631 or communications@wmhc.ca. -30- For further information, please contact: Jennifer Bastarache Communications Officer Whitby Mental Health Centre 905-430-4055 ext. 6545 bastarachej@wmhc.ca |