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Foundation Progress Report

Winter 2001 - 2002

 
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Foundation embarks on a plan to raise $4.7 million to fund 12 innovative projects

Mary Deacon

Mary Deacon

We are very excited to announce projects totaling $4.7 million around which we will focus our fundraising efforts for the next two years. Covering a broad spectrum of initiatives in research, public and health professional education, care, and stigma prevention, these innovative projects will combine to create a better world for those facing mental illness and addictions.

These initiatives were selected from proposals received from across the Centre, which were evaluated by the Grants and Allocations Committee of the Foundation and the Centre's Senior Management Group. The high quality of the proposals made the selection process very challenging.
In this issue of the Foundation Progress Report we have written about the Information Centre, which, I am delighted to report, has already been funded by a generous gift from the R. Samuel McLaughlin Foundation. You'll also hear about Centre staff-initiated events to support the Client Learning Pilot Fund, which will make learning bursaries available to our clients. We will be highlighting other initiatives in future issues.
In the meantime, please call us if you would like to know more about any of these wonderful projects.

Mary Deacon

Fundraising Goals for 2002/2003

Research

  • Epigenetics Research Program
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards in Addiction and Mental Health

Education

Quality of Life

  • Client Learning Fund Pilot

Stigma

Concurrent Disorders

  • Healthy Aging at CAMH: Developing Resource Materials and Training for Professionals who work with Older Adults

Treatment

  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Psychosis
  • Hope for Chronically Suicidal Patients: Evaluating the Clinical and Economic Benefits of a New Psychotherapeutic Treatment

Special Populations

  • LesBiGay Depression and Anxiety Pilot Study
  • Aboriginal Services -- Assessment/Crisis Team

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$1 million donation from R. Samuel McLaughlin Foundation for new information centre will realize a dream

Info brochures

Just some of the many resources distributed by the Centre's Information services

The Centre's Infoline receives over 55,000 calls each year from people throughout Ontario who need information and help with addiction and mental health problems. And the uniquely qualified and highly dedicated professionals who answer the Infoline make sure that they get the help they need, whether it's information through the mail, direction on how to access help right now for those in crisis Ò or anything in between. The Infoline provides an essential service, helping many people each year to find urgently needed information and treatment, under conditions that are often stressful and challenging.

But Sydney Jones, the Centre's Director of Library and Information Services, and Arthur McCudden, Senior Information Officer, have known for a long time that there is potential to reach even more people in need of help. For years they have dreamed of expanding the service by relocating it to a more visible location, that would allow easier access to more people. Thanks to a generous gift from the R. Samuel McLaughlin Foundation, not only will their dream be realized, but even more expansion will be made possible. The gift of $1 million will enable the creation of the R. Samuel McLaughlin Mental Health and Addiction Information Centre.

This will allow the services of the Infoline to expand in many important ways.


Expansion of Mental Health information offered

The Infoline service is well established, beginning at the former Addiction Research Foundation in the mid-1960s, when telephone counseling was offered for addiction issues. Today the Infoline is accessible 24 hours each day, and staffed with Information Officers from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day except statutory holidays. Callers can also choose among 39 recorded messages in English, with selected messages being offered in 15 other languages. Its "1-800" number can be accessed free of charge from anywhere in Canada. The service now offers information and referrals rather than counseling.

Since the merger of the Centre's four founding partners in 1998, the goal has been to enrich the Infoline's capacity in mental health to match that of its addiction services. A working team will soon be identified to determine what new content needs to be created and to develop and update the existing recorded messages. "The information about addictions on our service is second to none, and it will soon be matched in quality by our mental health messages," says Jones.

The gift will also enable the establishment of a volunteer-staffed support line, where callers can talk with others who have experienced mental illness and addictions. This will build on other available services from a number of agencies.


Create a street presence to attract more people

Currently, the Information Centre is on the second floor of a building in a low traffic area. The new Information Centre will be relocated to a major street with high pedestrian traffic. Its storefront with window displays will encourage more people to access the services, removing the barriers. It will also provide an outlet for the Centre's many excellent publications, many of which are free, and more comprehensive resources such as books and videos for educators and health professionals, which can be purchased.

The Centre's community offices will also have a role to play in expanding this service across the province.


Expanded world wide web presence

Even more people in Toronto, across Ontario, and because of the Centre's commitment to diversity, throughout the world will be able to access information through a greatly expanded web presence. This will include posting Centre publications on web, and providing links to existing websites that have been reviewed. Linking to other organizations' reviewed websites will avoid duplication of services, and allow the Information Centre staff to concentrate on identifying gaps and filling them. "We want people to think of our website as the first stop," says Jones. "People will know that our information services will give them what they need, and information they can trust."


Promotion of our services

The McLaughlin gift will also allow the Centre to promote their information services more widely. "We know that we are doing great work, but we also know that we are not reaching everyone who needs us. The R. Samuel McLaughlin Foundation's generosity will allow us to reach a greater number of people across a wider range of communities, enabling the Centre to provide better outreach to people in need of help, and encouraging them to seek help earlier," says Jones.

The R. Samuel McLaughlin Foundation expressed confidence in the Centre's ability to carry out these challenges. "We recognize the great need to support those working in the fields of mental health and addiction," says David Windeyer, Secretary at the McLaughlin Foundation. "By funding the R. Samuel McLaughlin Mental Health and Addiction Information Centre at CAMH, we wish to recognize and support CAMH's unique role in improving understanding, prevention and care of mental illness and addiction, through its public education, health promotion and prevention programs."
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You are here:
CAMH > Foundation > Newsletters > Foundation News Winter 2001-2002
 
PDF Version of the Winter 2002 Report
 
On this page
Foundation embarks on a plan to raise $4.7 million to fund 12 innovative projects
$1 million donation from R. Samuel McLaughlin Foundation for new Information Centre will realize a dream
Infoline professionals
Special thanks to Foundation supporters who have held special events to support the Centre
Tremco raised $24,000 for Child Psychiatry
Getting their kicks for the Centre
JRM Tube Inc. inaugural golf tournament raises over $17,000
Joanne Murphy Professorship in Neuroscience Research: First Holder Introduced
Children's book brings help and hope to children with mental illness
A Centre of Excellence
Centre scientists honoured for excellence, innovation and creativity in professional education
Partnership enhances care for clients with Dual Diagnosis
Music Therapy study: early results promising
Dinosaur Social Skills Program Begins
Famous first: Hospital program becomes client-run business
Gently Used Piano Needed -- Can you help?
Staying Mentally Healthy Post September 11th
Erich Almasy Joins Foundation Board
Staff Excellence Awards Established to Honour Outstanding Volunteer
Courage to Come Back Awards : Call for Nominations
There is Help ... There is Hope : Community Information Forums
How You Can Help
How to Make a Donation
Planned Giving
Gift Matching:
Make your gift work twice as hard
In memoriam and in honour gifts
Circle of Hope
Corporate Leaders Program
Volunteer Opportunities with the Foundation
 
Events
Courage to Come Back Awards
Courage 2002
Courage 2001
Courage 2000
Courage 1999
Third Party Special Events: Become a Star
 
Our Donors
Donor Profiles
What Our Donors Have Made Possible
 
Publications
Foundation Progress Reports
Annual Report & Financial Statements 2001 / PDF
Who We Are
Board of Directors
Foundation Staff 2002
Mission Statement
Donor Bill of Rights
Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code
How to Reach The Centre

Infoline professionals:
Special people with a unique blend of skills

Arthur Mccudden, Silvia Bautis

Arthur Mccudden, Silvia Bautis (right) and Maureen Conley (not pictured) make up the centre's Team of full-time information officers.

So much hangs in the balance every time the phone rings. Some calls are not urgent, such as students wanting information for school projects or parents noticing behaviour changes in their children. But most calls are from people reaching out for help Ò sometimes in crisis, and this call to the Centre is their first important step.

"It's very important to remember that simply picking up the phone and calling is a courageous act in and of itself," says Arthur McCudden.

He is one of three full-time staff members who work on the Infoline. "Not everyone is cut out for this job," he says. "You really need a unique blend of skills. You must have excellent knowledge of programs available both at the Centre and elsewhere. Equally important are the personal qualities: you need to be very sensitive and a good, quick judge of a situation."

"Many people who call here are very fragile, and they need encouragement," he says. "It's important to use the right tone of voice, to convey that you are on their side. You have to invest time. People are delicate, jumpy. They need encouragement, but if you push too hard they hang up. And this might be your only shot at helping that person. You have to get it just right."

McCudden's hardest calls are from people who are in abusive situations. "Trying to get across in a single phone call that staying to be abused will not change the situation is very difficult," he says. "You need to encourage them to protect themselves, and to protect the children if there are children involved."

It's also challenging when the occasional caller is in a situation that the counselors have not dealt with previously. He credits wonderful backup from other Centre departments such as Pharmacy, Intake and Emergency for helping to address unusual situations.

The job's greatest reward? "Knowing that you have made a difference," says McCudden. "We often hear back from people who have contacted other Centre programs and sought treatment after speaking with the you on the Infoline. They phone back to tell us that we helped."

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Special thanks to Foundation supporters who have held special events to support the Centre

Tremco raised $24,000 for Child Psychiatry

Last September, Tremco Ltd. hosted and organized their third annual golf tournament which raised $24,000 for the Centre's Child Psychiatry Programs.

Getting their kicks for the Centre

John McCulloch and Tal Schaeffer.

L-R John McCulloch and Tal Schaeffer.

Shorinji Kempo Toronto Branch, who have been holding sponsored 'kickathons' in support of the Centre since 1996, held their most successful event ever. They raised $7,000, with almost one third of that amount attributed to new member Ojan Jamkhou.

"Shorinji Kempo's underlying philosophy stresses the importance of personal change, striving every day to abolish one's faults and lead a fuller life," said Branch Master John McCulloch. "We feel that the important work of the Centre is very much in keeping with this philosophy."

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Gary Rodgers (left) and Mary Deacon, CAMH Foundation President

Gary Rodgers (left) and Mary Deacon, CAMH Foundation President

JRM Tube Inc. Inaugural Golf Tournament Raises Over $17,000

JRM Tube Inc. staged their first-ever golf tournament, which raised over $17,000 for the Centre.

"Mental health affects almost all aspects of our lives," said Gary Rodgers, President and CEO. "We are surrounded by people who are family members, friends, and colleagues who have been touched by some form of mental illness or addiction. Through the proceeds from our charity golf tournament, I hope that the Centre gets more exposure and that it continues to offer care, support, awareness and solutions to the needs of individuals with mental illnesses or addictions."

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Rhoda Beecher, Executive Director, Human Resources and Organizational Development; Joanne Campbell, Vice-President, Community Relations; and Georgiana Beal, Chief of Nursing Practice & Professional Services.

Rhoda Beecher, Executive Director, Human Resources and Organizational Development; Joanne Campbell, Vice-President, Community Relations; and Georgiana Beal, Chief of Nursing Practice & Professional Services.

Centre staff and management raise funds for the Client Learning Fund Initiative

The Centre's Senior Management Group served a barbeque lunch to staff and clients at the kickoff event of Centre staff's efforts in support of the Foundation. Funds raised will be directed to the Client Learning Fund Pilot, which will make bursaries available to clients seeking to improve their education, and in turn improve their chances of finding employment. Productive and meaningful activity have an integral relationship to overall recovery. For more information, please contact Anissa Hilborn, at 416-535-8501, ext. 4353.

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For information about holding your own special event to support the Foundation, please call Bonnie Perry at 416 535-8501, ext 4392.

L-R: Vahan Kololian, Mary Agnes Murphy, Fabio Macciardi, Susie Kololian and Harold Murphy.

L-R: Vahan Kololian, Mary Agnes Murphy, Fabio Macciardi,
Susie Kololian and Harold Murphy.

Joanne Murphy Professorship
in Neuroscience Research:
First Holder Introduced

In the fall of 1999, the Friends of Joanne Murphy for Neuroscience Research held a reception at the Rosedale Golf Club to launch their project, which was part of the Centred on Hope Campaign. Friends and family of Joanne Murphy, a young lawyer whose struggle with schizophrenia caused her death at age 35, came together to raise funds in her name for a professorship in neuroscience research.

On September 24th, almost exactly two years later, another reception was held, this time a celebration. The group achieved their $1 million dollar goal, and campaign leaders, donors and Centre representatives met and welcomed Dr. Fabio Macciardi, MD, PhD, the first holder of the Joanne Murphy Professorship in Neuroscience.

Dr. Macciardi becomes Head, Unit of Biostatistics and Genetic Epidemiology, Section of Neurogenetics at the Centre, and Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. He has received many awards, fellowships and distinctions, most recently a NARSAD Independent Investigator Award. He will play a key role in bridging the different levels of neuroscience to coordinate research efforts and results, and work to translate the hard work and generosity of the Friends of Joanne Murphy into discoveries, solutions and ultimately a better world for those facing mental illness.

For their generosity, courage and leadership, we are very grateful to Joanne's parents, Harold and Mary Agnes Murphy, and to the entire Murphy family, who were presented with an engraved silver platter. Vahan and Susie Kololian, family friends of the Murphys, shared in the leadership of this campaign, and were thanked for their dedication and commitment.

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Children's book brings help and hope to children with mental illness

Catch a Falling StarDr. Joe Beitchman, the Centre's Clinical Director of Child Psychiatry, recently spoke at a launch of a new book for children, Catch a Falling Star : A Tale from Iris the Dragon. Using a fairy story, it introduces children and their parents to the early warning signs of mental illness and stresses the importance of early intervention.

To order, call 416 284-2049 or visit www.iristhedragon.com.
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A Centre of Excellence

A regular column which highlights achievements of the Centre's health professionals and scientists. By pushing the boundaries of Understanding, Prevention and Care, they are creating a better world for those who face the challenges of mental illness and addictions.

Staff Honours

Centre scientists honoured for excellence, innovation and creativity in professional education

At the annual meeting of the Canadian Psychiatric Association in November, Dr. Sagar Parikh and Dr. Roger McIntyre were jointly given the Canadian Psychiatric Association / Council of Psychiatric Continuing Education 2000-2001 Award for the Most Outstanding Continuing Education Activity in Psychiatry in Canada for their courses in Psychopharmacology for psychiatrists.

The courses were started by Dr. Parikh as Course Director and teacher in 1998. Dr. McIntyre joined as a teacher two years ago. The courses were cited for the innovative use of three different methods of needs assessment, utilization of advanced Continuing Medical Education teaching principles, excellence in teaching evaluations, and creative use of methods to evaluate impact of the course on physician practice.
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Care

Partnership enhances care for clients with Dual Diagnosis

The Centre's Dual Diagnosis Program cares for those who have a developmental disability along with an emotional or behavioural difficulty. Recently, a partnership agreement was signed with COTA Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Mental Health Services and the Griffin Centre Community Support Network that will provide enhanced and coordinated specialized intensive case management services to these individuals. This new partnership fills a gap in the continuum of supports and service, particularly for individuals who come into the system in crisis.
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Understanding

Music Therapy study: early results promising

The Neuropsychiatry Program at CAMH works with clients that have severe and persistent mental illnesses, along with acquired brain dysfunction. These clients have behavioural difficulties associated with impaired learning, memory, judgement and other essential cognitive processes.

Music Therapy Services and the Neuropsychiatry Program recently designed and completed an innovative first phase of a joint research project. Initial findings indicate that there is a possible correlation between music and agitated behaviour. The implications reveal not only the reduction of agitated and aggressive behaviour during mealtime but also throughout the day when clients were exposed to music. The investigators are considering the implications on improved quality of life for both client and staff, as well as a broader application of this intervention to other aspects of clients' daily living.
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Prevention

Dinosaur Social Skills Program Begins

The Child Psychiatry program has begun the Dinosaur Social Skills Child Program for children 4-8 years old with behaviour problems. Research has proven this 22-week program reduces children's aggressive and disruptive behaviour, increases their positive behaviours and social skills, increases conflict management skills, and increases self-esteem. This project was made possible through a generous gift from Deutsche Bank Canada.

Famous First: Hospital Program Becomes Client-Run Business

For the first time, a hospital program at the Centre is becoming a business to be run and staffed by "consumer/survivors". The Out of This World Café & Espresso Bar at the Queen Street site is being divested to the Ontario Council on Alternative Business. The project has received funding support from the Toronto CED Homelessness Program, a funding partnership among the United Way and the three levels of government. This reflects the Centre's commitment to exploring ways to increase the range of employment opportunities available to clients.

 

Gently Used Piano Needed -- Can you help?

Melonie Ceresne, Occupational Therapist in the General Psychiatry Unit, writes that the piano on her unit has provided tremendous pleasure to many patients over the years Û in fact, a music appreciation group is being formed at the clients' request. Unfortunately, however, the current piano is beyond repair. If any of our readers have a gently used piano they could donate, please call Melonie Ceresne at 416 535-8501, ext 4026.

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Staying Mentally Healthy Post September 11th

Since September 11th, many people have been experiencing anxiety and fear about the terrorist activities, the military action and bioterrorism. The Centre has developed contingency plans should there be increased need for services, and has also held information sessions for the general public. In addition, information on a number of related subjects is available on the Centre's website. There you will find answers to questions such as ...

  • What is a normal response to this type of situation?
  • What can people do to calm themselves?
  • What can people do who are having difficulty?
  • What symptoms would indicate that someone is experiencing more anxiety than should be expected?
  • What is post-traumatic stress disorder?
  • What can be done to help children cope with this situation?

If someone is from a country where they have experienced war or some other form of trauma, how might they be affected?

Children may be feeling particularly insecure at this time with the increasing world uncertainty and bad news. Experts at the Centre advise that parents:

  • Listen carefully to children's concerns and fears. Ask them what they have done so far to cope with feelings. Praise them for their coping strategies and courage in facing fears.
  • Gauge what you tell children according to their ages. Younger children will need less detailed information than older children.
  • Share your feelings with your children but emphasize your own coping strategies. For example, you may want to tell your children that you are feeling some sadness and anxiety but that you deal with your feelings by refocusing on your activities for the day, connecting to family and talking with people with whom you feel close.
  • Talk to your children about what they might use as positive coping strategies. Young children may be more able to express their feelings by drawing or other creative non-verbal means.
  • Try to maintain your children's usual routines and activities.

Further information is available at www.camh.net (see Since September 11, 2001).

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Erich Almasy Joins Foundation Board

Mary Deacon

Eric Almasy

The Board of Directors of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation welcomes Erich Almasy, Vice-President and Director of the Boston Consulting Group, who brings to the Foundation 25 years experience in strategy consulting across a wide range of technology, consumer, industrial, distribution, and service industries. Educated at Harvard, he was an associate faculty member of the University of Southern California's Center for Telecommunications Management. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the United Way of Greater Toronto and has been nominated to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Opera Company.

Staff Excellence Awards Established to Honour Outstanding Volunteer

Ted Tremain

Ted Tremain

Following 15 years of combined service to the board of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation and the former Clarke Institute of Psychiatry and its charitable foundation, Ted Tremain retired from our board of directors. His dedication to advancing the work of the Centre has been recognized by the establishment of the Edward W.H. Tremain Awards of Excellence, to be presented annually to Centre staff in recognition of outstanding contributions.

At a recent reception, he was honoured by numerous tributes from past and present volunteer colleagues and Centre staff, and presented with a tribute book, chronicling his years with our organization.

"Ted was always working diligently, with dignity and respect, to model leadership -- all the while ensuring that praise and recognition were heaped on others, rather than himself," said Mary Deacon, Foundation President. "His thoughtfulness and personal encouragement of others to become involved and take leadership roles have always been among his hallmarks. So too has his ability to inspire diverse groups of people to work together to create unity of purpose."

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Centre for Addiction &
Mental Health Foundation
Board of Directors

Mr. Erich Almasy

Mr. Nicholas Brearton

Mr. Ted Cadsby

Ms. Pamela Fralick

Mr. Robert C. Dowsett

Dr. Paul E. Garfinkel

Mr. G. Edmund King

Ms. Marilyn Linton

Mr. James H. Lisson

Ms. Lynda Mackay

Mr. Richard A. MacKenzie

Ms. Rona Maynard

Mrs. Barbara Murray

Mrs. Gayle Olsson

Ms. Wendy Pitblado

Mr. Timothy R. Price

Ms. Tracey Riley

Ms. Jean Simpson

Mr. Robert Stewart

Mr. Gerald C. Throop

Ms. Irene Tysall

Dr. Franco Vaccarino

Events

Courage to Come Back Awards : Call for Nominations

The Foundation's flagship event, the annual Courage to Come Back Awards, celebrates the remarkable achievements of individuals from across Ontario who serve as models of hope. Its goal is to increase community awareness, raise funds, and honour individuals who have helped reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illness and addiction. The campaign takes place over several months and culminates in a gala dinner on May 2, 2002 where the recipients are presented with their awards.
We are currently seeking nominations for these awards, and a form is enclosed with this newsletter. Full details are also available on our website, www.camh.net/foundation, or by calling 416 535-8501, ext. 4324.


There is Help ... There is Hope : Community Information Forums

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Chatelaine Magazine are jointly presenting a series of monthly Community Information Forums on Addiction and Mental Health, offering a greater understanding of emerging mental health and addiction issues, treatments and healthy living strategies. Winter forums include Double Jeopardy -- When Mental Illness and Addiction Collide: Helping People with Concurrent Disorders on January 22; Alternative Approaches to Traditional Employment: Working on Working, February 19; and The Stigma of Addiction, March 19. Admission is free. For information on venues, times and schedule updates, call 416 979-4251.

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The Foundation Progress Report is the quarterly newsletter of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation. Our mission: to be a dynamic and effective fundraiser, helping to enable the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health to provide the highest possible level of Understanding, Prevention and Care, creating a better world for the one in four Canadians whose lives are affected by mental illness or addiction. We work to promote public awareness of addiction and mental health and reduce the stigma associated with them.

We welcome your comments:
Jean Geary
416 535-8501, extension 4395,
or e-mail to:
Jean_Geary@camh.net

The Foundation can be reached at:
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation
33 Russell Street, Second Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S1
Tel: 416 979-6909 or 1 800 414-0471
Fax: 416 979-6910
E-mail:
foundation@camh.net
Visit our website:
www.camh.net/foundation/index.html

A tax receipt will be issued for donations of $10 or more. Thank you for your generous donation. Charitable registration number 10693 2320 RR0001. Mail to: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation, 33 Russell Street, Second Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S1 Tel: 416 979-6909 or 1-800-414-0471 Fax: 416 979-6910 E-mail:
Foundation@camh.net

For further information, please contact:

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation
33 Russell Street, Second Floor
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2S1
Tel:(416) 979-6909
Toll-free 1-800-414-0471
Fax: (416) 979-6910

Charitable Registration
#BN 106932320RR0001

For general information on addiction and mental health:

Call the R. Samuel McLaughlin Addiction and Mental Health Information Centre

Toll free in Ontario Tel:1-800-463-6273
or local (416) 595-6111

www.camh.net/mclaughlin

DISCLAIMER: The Centre is not able to provide diagnostic, treatment or referral services through the Internet. Individuals should contact their family doctors, or their local mental health or addiction agency for further information.
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This page was last modified on August 20, 2003.