Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan raises $10,000 for CMHA Ontario,Mental Health on Campus

(Toronto, May 7, 2019) – Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, is pleased to thank the Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP) for a $10,000 donation to support the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health (CICMH).

The funds were raised during OTIP’s annual social media campaign on Bell Let’s Talk Day (Jan. 30) during which the organization pledged to donate $1 to CMHA Ontario for every like and share of its posts on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

This marks the second-consecutive year OTIP has made a $10,000 donation to CMHA Ontario.

“We heard from many of our members who told us they’re looking for less talk and more action,” said OTIP vice-president of group life and disability claims Gail Enever. “We’re dedicated to members of the education community, so we wanted to align our donation with CMHA efforts that specifically support education. The Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health is the perfect fit.”

The Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health is a partnership involving Colleges Ontario, the Council of Ontario Universities, the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance, the College Student Alliance and CMHA Ontario.

CICMH works with post-secondary mental health service providers, student services, faculty, administration, student leaders and community partners to build the mental health knowledge and capacity of front-line staff and student leaders while fostering innovation and collaboration that promotes systemic responses in the post-secondary system.

CICMH also encourages the development of strategic partnerships to take advantage of external knowledge, resources and relationships that address mental health needs of students. For example, CICMH in part works to develop support systems for students to deal with life challenges such as transitions from high school to post-secondary and employment prospects after graduation.

“We’re thrilled to accept this donation on behalf of the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health,” said CMHA Ontario CEO Camille Quenneville. “This generous contribution will support CICMH’s tireless work with Ontario’s colleges and universities to enhance student mental health and well-being.”

“We at CICMH would like to thank OTIP for their contribution,” said CICMH director Marija Padjen. “Their generosity allows us to better carry out our mandate to support campus and community partners in addressing the mental wellness of post-secondary students in Ontario.”

Fast facts:

• 70 per cent of mental health issues have their onset between the ages of 18 and 25.

• 40 per cent of post-secondary students use mental health services by their final year.

• Almost 75 per cent of students say they’ve felt overwhelming anxiety, while 60 per cent say they’ve been depressed to the point it was difficult to function.

About Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan

With more than 600 employees and a full range of group and individual insurance products, the Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP) has a well-earned reputation for providing outstanding benefit support and service to the education community, union organizations and individuals. OTIP first opened its doors 40 years ago and has been growing ever since. Today, it’s more than just OTIP – it’s the OTIP Group of Companies – a group of organizations sharing the same commitment to servicing its members.

About Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario is a not-for-profit, charitable organization funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. We work to improve the lives of all Ontarians through leadership, collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-based mental health and addictions services. Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the mental health of all people. We are a trusted advisor to government, contributing to health systems development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health. Our 30 local CMHA branches, together with community-based mental health and addictions service providers across the province, serve approximately 500,000 Ontarians each year.

About the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health

The Centre of Innovation in Campus Mental Health (CICMH) is a unique partnership project between the college, university and community sector in Ontario created to enhance the mental health and well-being of post-secondary students in the province. It acts as a nexus that facilitates and supports campus and community partners in addressing current and future students’ mental wellness. This includes but is not limited to identifying best practices, developing resources as well as creating and fostering connections.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Left to Right: Marija Padjen – CICMH, Gail Enever – OTIP, Camille Quenneville – CMHA Ontario