2016-2017 Annual Report & Caring Community Awards

CMHA Peel Dufferin held our Annual General Meeting on September 12, 2017.  We’re pleased to share our new annual report for the 2016-2017 fiscal year. Throughout 2016-2017, we focused on our Strategic Plan’s three priorities: Enhancing access to services; Expanding our continuum and Developing our workforce.

Check out the full report to learn more.

Our Caring Community Awards were also given out at our AGM.

The Caring Community Awards recognize individuals and organizations that have helped promote and encourage mental health awareness, reduce stigma and have made a positive impact on the lives of individuals and families living with mental illness.  This year’s recipients are:

The Mississauga Steelheads

In October 2014, the Ontario Hockey League and the Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario announced a unique partnership to not only raise awareness about suicide but also promote the mental health of young athletes – the Talk Today program. Talk Today aims to educate OHL players about mental health and encourage them to break free from stigma and discrimination so that they can speak openly about these serious issues.

The Mississauga Steelheads embraced the program and partners with CMHA Peel Dufferin for the last 3 years. From the very beginning they have promoted the Talk Today program ensuring that players, staff and parents had access to the training and mental health resources they needed.

The Steelheads organization recognizes that their team and players are positive examples and leaders in the community and have actively supported our annual Talk Today Game to increase public awareness about mental health. In early 2017 Steelheads players also participated in in-school mental health presentations with CMHA Peel Dufferin’s Youth Net staff. Player talked to students about how they handle bullying, stress, etc.

Beyond the Talk Today program the Steelheads have supported CMHA events and initiatives throughout the year by contributing and participating in our annual suicide prevention walk and our signature awareness event, Ride Don’t Hide.

Shelley White – Former United Way Peel Region President and CEO

Shelley White is the former President and CEO at United Way of Peel Region. In her 13 years at the helm of the United Way Shelley the organization refined its investment strategy to focus on the root causes of poverty in Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga. Throughout her time with UWPR Shelley advocated and brought to light the many challenges facing individuals and families seeking support for mental health issues in the region. She often championed the work of CMHA and other mental health agencies and worked to tackle systemic issues by providing thought leadership, researching core issues, and building the capacity of the sector.

Shelley is a social change champion and committed to building individual and community resilience. She is an active leader in the Peel community as the Co-Chair of the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group, founding Co-Chair of the Mississauga Summit, a Governor and member of the Executive Committee of the Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, and is a Board member with the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council and Peel Children and Youth Initiative and Vice Chair of the Community Door Board of Directors. In 2012, Shelley received the Queen Diamond Jubilee Medal and Leading Women Building Communities Award.

Shelley has over 30 years of experience in the non-profit sector and is now the CEO of the Responsible Gambling Council of Canada. She has held executive positions with the YMCA of Greater Toronto and the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Central Ontario Branch. She holds a Masters of Leadership Studies from the University Guelph and a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education degree from Brock University. 

Radhika Panjwani – Mississauga News Reporter

Radhika Panjwani is a reporter with The Brampton Guardian and The Mississauga News, writing about community issues, arts and entertainment. A strong advocate and supporter of mental health, Radhika has written about the work of CMHA and the mental health system in order to educate – so that local residents know where to get help when they need it – and to advocate for system improvements.

Over the last three years Radhika has demonstrated her support for CMHA and mental health services, writing about Ride Don’t Hide, 247 Crisis Support Peel, Walk for Life – Walk for Hope, and was a key contributor to Metroland Publishing’s Mental Health Series in January 2016. That series shed light on the challenges for individuals and families in Peel seeking help for mental illness.

Through her writing she conveys a deep sensitivity and compassion for those experiencing or living with mental health issues, as well as conveying a sense of urgency when advocating for increased support and services.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in science (microbiology) plus a degree as well as two diplomas, in journalism and communications.