Update from CAMH Foundation on Well@Work initiative

TORONTO, Sept. 26, 2016 The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canadas largest
hospital specializing in mental illness, treating over 31,000 patients annually. Philanthropy plays an
important role in our work, helping CAMH turn groundbreaking research into life-saving treatments,
advancing care through education and creating modern spaces that promote healing and discovery.
We are proud to have built lasting and impactful relationships with leading philanthropists and
organizations who share our vision of transforming the lives of the one in five Canadians affected by
mental illness and addiction.
CAMH Foundation has a thorough and thoughtful process of entering into formal agreements with
major donors who are interested in targeting their gift toward specific initiatives. We have a
professional stewardship program that provides such donors with accountability reports, timelines and
updates on donor-supported projects. All our interactions are governed by our donor bill of rights.
Mr. Faas presented a $1-million gift to support our shared vision to develop a new educational program
to help create psychologically healthier workplaces in Canada. The goal of the Well@Work initiative was
to provide workplaces throughout Canada with the tools and training to identify risks for mental illness in the
workplace, strategies for prevention and support, and to ultimately transform the workplace culture to be
more positive, healthy and productive. The program was to be developed and rolled out over a three-year
timeline.
As a leading evidence-based, academic health sciences centre, CAMH stands by the progress made in
the first year of the Well@Work Program and will remain grateful to Mr. Faas for sharing in the original
vision and plans. We continue to work towards re-establishing Mr. Faas satisfaction as to the value of
his gift and in the work undertaken with his support. We believe that, once completed, the initiative has
the potential to positively influence workplace mental health across Canada. CAMH takes pride in our
role as a national leader in promoting mental health in the workplace. We were the first hospital to
adopt the Mental Health Commission of Canadas National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety
in the Workplace, and know that, as workplaces look to adopt the standard, there is growing demand
for a program such as Well@Work.
As employers ourselves, we had looked forward to enhancing our already existing and continually
evolving workplace mental health initiatives with this new program. CAMH remains strongly committed
to playing a leadership role in advancing workplace mental health for all Canadians.
-30-

For more information:

Sean OMalley
CAMH Media Relations
sean.omalley@camh.ca
(416) 595 6015