New International
Designation Promises Benefits to Ontario's Mental Health and Addiction
Systems
For
immediate release: May 27, 1999, TORONTO, ON -- The World Health Organization
(WHO) presents Ontario's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
with the prestigious Centre of Excellence designation. The Centre for
Addiction and Mental Health joins Harvard University, the Institute of
Psychiatry in London, England and National Institute of Mental Health
and Neurosciences of Bangalore, India as the fourth Centre of Excellence
in the world.
"The
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is extremely proud to receive the
designation of Centre of Excellence from the World Health Organization,"
says Dr. Paul Garfinkel, CEO of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
"With this Centre of Excellence designation, the Centre will benefit
from the collaboration of world-class expertise and knowledge. This will
be instrumental in producing practices that will dramatically improve
the capacity and quality of services for the people of Ontario with mental
health and addiction problems. In addition, the Centre will be a key partner
in addressing the global challenges in these fields and will continue
to contribute to international advances in research, prevention and care."
The
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health was created in 1998 with the successful
merger of the Addiction Research Foundation, the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry,
the Donwood Institute and the Queen Street Mental Health Centre. As the
largest mental health and addictions facility in Canada, the Centre is
being recognized for its uniqueness and its ability to:
integrate biological, social and clinical research;
-- translate research done in a laboratory into practical treatment
and tools;
-- provide a complete continuum of care in one setting;
--integrate the treatment of alcohol, drug and mental disorders; and
--be at the forefront of leading-edge research, making major advancements
in the treatment of a number of diseases including schizophrenia and
anorexia.
As
the leading institution in Canada in the area of mental health and addictions,
the Centre will be instrumental in addressing the challenges of the current
systems of care. The Centre will build a bridge from the world of research
to the community where care is delivered. Although this knowledge will
initially benefit the people of Toronto and Ontario, its impact will extend
across the country and internationally.
Building
on the legacies of four outstanding organizations, the Centre offers a
unique model for understanding and helping people with addiction and mental
illness, for preventing substance abuse and for promoting mental health.
It operates central clinical and research facilities in Toronto, Ontario,
as well as 12 community offices across the province. While the Centre's
work focuses on the needs of Ontario communities, its impact extends across
the country and internationally.
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For further information, please call Christa Haanstra at (416) 595-6015
or (416) 664-4652 (pager).
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1-800-463-6273
