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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, May 6, 2010 · 4 Broadcaster urges people to discuss mental health issues Continued from page 3 This Mother's Day, make her heart smile and her feet sing. For every Mom you know who's always wanted to dance. Call now: 905.849.0008 No partner required. No experience necessary. Mississauga | Oakville She said one in seven teenagers under 19 has a serious mental disorder that has an impact on development and affects his or her ability to participate in daily activities. Despite the high numbers of people with mental illness, there is still the stigma. Valerie said, "We have to say there is no shame. I'm not ashamed. Catherine is fabulous, she has nothing to be ashamed of. She has something that she has to deal with." Catherine said everyone knows someone with mental illnesses, either a friend or relative, or they know someone who knows someone with it. Valerie received a tour of CAMH and has joined its fundraising foundation and with her daughter has done a series of ads for the centre. "As soon as those ads came up, people started coming up to us and they still come to us, saying, `I've never talked about this', `Thank you so much', `How can we find out more', `I've always been so ashamed'. You got the impression that people were hungry to talk." Catherine said it is important to raise awareness and to push the government to step up for mental health. She said, "Just to know you're not alone makes all the difference in the world and that is why I'm so open about my experience and if one person gets help when they are suffering this has been worth it." Valerie said that mental health issues were hidden for so long that it is evident even in facilities such as CAMH. "I toured these Dickensian facilities," she said of her original experience of touring the 1001 Queen St. W. facility "You get off the elevators and the doors just open up to bars. Imagine you're at the worst point in your life: you are suffering from serious depression and this is where they bring you." She added the facility was built at the same time that other health facilities were built that are much more welcoming. "You just thought they don't care about mental health illness. Is it because people with family members with mental illness aren't going to complain to their MPPs? There is no gift shop here. A 600-bed hospital, more beds than SickKids, more beds than Mount Sinai. But because there was not enough human traffic there was no economic model there of people buying flowers or teddy bears or anything and in fact, people didn't come to visit people when they were in CAMH." Since then, CAMH has gone through and is still undergoing a major transformation. Catherine gave the following advice to everyone at the forum: "If you feel like you need to reach out and get help, you have to be brave and be strong and just reach out and get help." There's still time to BECOME A MARKET READY GRADUATE AT McMASTER Life shouldn't be a chore September 2010 admission deadline: June 15, 2010 An MBA from McMaster's DeGroote School of Business prepares graduates to meet challenges and seize opportunities ­ graduates who are market ready. The DeGroote School of Business is committed to developing market ready graduates by incorporating experiential learning into everything we do. This is because we understand that learning takes place both inside and outside the classroom. LEARN MORE AT www.mcmastermba.ca You have the independence to do what you want, when you want. Depend on us to give you the freedom to do it. You've worked too hard to be tied down to preparing meals and doing chores. Delmanor offers you a Tridel inspired retirement rental community with hotel style services and a staff as dependable as family. That means no chores and far less worry for you, your spouse and your children. After all, life shouldn't be a chore: · 24 hour concierge · Hotel-style services · Professional Healthcare staff on site · Dining Room with individual table service · LivingWell Centre · Piano & fireplace lounges · Pub, card and billiard lounge · Serenity Spa and massage facilities 1459 Nottinghill Gate (west of Dorval, south of Upper Middle) · Housekeeping and laundry services · Building-wide personal emergency response system (905) 469-3232 Call now for a personal tour. Ask about our move-in incentives. Prices and specifications subject to change without notice E&OE Visit www.delmanor.com for all our GTA locations.