Valerie Pringle named spokesperson for CAMH’s Gifts of Light

Toronto, ON, Nov. 10, 2008 -- Award-winning journalist Valerie Pringle has been named ambassador for Gifts of Light, a new charity gift-giving campaign from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Each Gift of Light purchased will help bring hope and comfort to CAMH patients in their time of darkness, and demonstrate the donor’s determination to shed light on mental illness and addiction.

“For most of us, the holidays are a time when we celebrate with loved ones, but for people hospitalized for mental illness or addiction, it can be an extremely lonely time,” said Valerie Pringle. “Gifts of Light is a powerful program that gives each of us the opportunity to show our support and encouragement to someone staying at CAMH right now. I hope people will join my daughter and me in purchasing Gifts of Light so that together we can break down the harmful stigma that surrounds these illnesses and bring comfort to someone feeling alone."

A longstanding supporter of and volunteer for CAMH, Ms. Pringle understands what it is like to try to help a family member coping with mental health issues. Her daughter, Catherine, now 28, has suffered from severe panic and anxiety attacks. The Pringles turned to CAMH for help.

Gifts of Light are practical gifts, ranging in price from $10 to $75. The gifts are carefully selected items that will bring comfort to those staying at CAMH, including a care kit, personal blanket, robe and sleepwear. Each gift is a reminder to patients that someone cares and they are not alone in their journey to recovery.

For every gift purchased, donors will receive a holiday card that can be shared with family and friends explaining how the gift, purchased in their honour, has touched the life of someone living with mental illness or addiction.

One in five Canadians will experience mental illness or addiction during their lifetime. Too many suffer in silence and are afraid to seek the help they need. Because of the stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction, many CAMH patients do not receive cards, gifts or even visitors while undergoing treatment. In fact, CAMH is one of the only hospitals in Canada that doesn’t have a gift shop – simply because there is not enough call for gifts.

“Gifts of Light offers an opportunity to both bring comfort to someone in distress and to challenge the stigma and isolation surrounding mental illness and addiction, which some patients have told us is worse than the illness itself.” said David Goldbloom, Senior Medical Advisor, Education and Public Affairs.

For more information or to purchase a Gift of Light, visit www.camhgiftsoflight.ca or call 416-979-6909, toll free at 1-800-414-0471.

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Contact: For more information please contact Karen Snider, 416 277-7907 or Jean Geary, 416 535-8501, ext.4395.

About CAMH

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital, as well as one of the world's leading research centres in the area of addiction and mental health. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to transform the lives of people affected by mental health and addiction issues. CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre.