New record for Québec's largest fundraising event in
support of mental health
MONTRÉAL, March 24, 2016 /CNW
Telbec/ - With the theme "United for mental health," the
second Bal des lumières held last night at the Bell Centre raised
$1,430,000 for the Institut
universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal Foundation, the Douglas
Mental Health University Institute Foundation, and the Mental
Illness Foundation.
More than 850 guests attended Bal des lumières, including Gaétan
Barrette, Minister of Health and Social Services, Jacques Daoust, Minister of Transport,
Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification, and Montréal
Mayor Denis Coderre, setting a new
record for fundraising in support of mental health in Québec,
surpassing the $1.1 million raised at
the first Bal in 2013. Co-chaired by George
Cope of Bell, Serge Godin of
CGI, Geoff Molson of the Club de
Hockey Canadien, Bell Centre and evenko, and Louis Vachon of National Bank, the extraordinary
evening was hosted by Bell Media's Isabelle
Racicot and featured a fundraising auction and performances
by DJ Ève Salvail, Brigitte M, Dominic
Lacasse, Diva5 and Luc
Langevin.
"It is truly impressive to see so many Québec leaders come
together to send a powerful message of support to all those who
struggle with mental illness," said George
Cope, President and CEO of BCE and Bell, and honourary chair
of the Bal des lumières. "The Bal is a unique and powerful event
that raises significant funding for these three world-class Québec
mental health foundations, while helping to reduce the stigma
around mental illness. Together, we are shining a warm and
welcoming light to ensure that mental illness will never again be
relegated to the shadows of society."
This unprecedented mobilization has a profound impact because
the three recipient organizations cover such a wide spectrum of
mental health initiatives: awareness, innovative treatments,
quality care, leading-edge research and social integration. "I am
delighted to see a second Bal des lumières take place," said Gaétan
Barrette, Minister of Health and Social Services. "The event's
resounding success illustrates just how much people care about
mental health. We are fortunate to be able to count on renowned
researchers, experts and professionals, as well as leading
organizations such as the Douglas Mental Health University
Institute Foundation, the Institut universitaire en santé mentale
de Montréal Foundation and the Mental Illness Foundation. I would
like to thank their members for everything they do, which makes an
impact both here and abroad."
Montréal Mayor Denis Coderre
emphasized the importance of fighting stigma: "The spirit of
cooperation that brought these three major foundations together
tonight has resulted in unmatched mobilization, which in turn will
lead to innovative treatments, quality care and increased
awareness. Montréal is an inclusive city focused on its people. We
value warmth, solidarity, openness and tolerance, all of which our
citizens take to heart. Mental illness can affect anyone; we must
keep fighting prejudice."
With the money raised, the Douglas Mental Health University
Institute Foundation will continue its vital research into
preventing and treating mental disorders such as depression,
anxiety and eating disorders. The Institut universitaire en santé
mentale de Montréal Foundation will continue to improve the quality
of life of its clients through rehabilitation, working towards
maintaining a solid link with their community and therefore
stimulating their social reintegration. The Mental Illness
Foundation will build on the success of its Partners for Mental
Health program. Created for secondary 3, 4 and 5 students and
reaching 50,000 young people across Québec each year, the program
raises awareness of the signs and symptoms of depression.
The chairs of the three foundations, Don
Bastien, François Castonguay and
Marisa Giannetti, wish to commend the leadership and
tireless efforts of the evening's co-chairs, George Cope, Serge
Godin, Geoff Molson and
Louis Vachon. They also extend their
warmest thanks to the committee of ambassadors, Maria and Vincenzo Guzzo of Guzzo Cinemas,
Grace Di Meo of DNA Capital and
Luc Bachand of BMO Capital Markets,
who rallied the business community to this important cause, and
Artistic Director Denis Bouchard,
who created a truly magical event.
Created in 1993, the Institut universitaire en santé mentale
de Montréal Foundation helps the largest French-language
psychiatric institution in Canada
attain its objectives. The Foundation supports research, clinical
care and education efforts to advance practices that benefit
patients. The Foundation also funds rehabilitation and social
reintegration activities to support individuals in their
recovery.
The Douglas Mental Health University Institute
Foundation's mission is to support the Douglas Institute, a
Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de
l'Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal facility. The world-class Douglas
Institute is affiliated with McGill
University and the World Health Organization. Its teams of
specialists and researchers are continually increasing scientific
knowledge, integrating this knowledge into patient care, and
sharing it with the community in order to educate the public and
eliminate prejudices surrounding mental health. The Douglas
Institute treats people suffering from mental illness and offers
them both hope and healing.
Founded in 1980, the Mental Illness Foundation promotes
mental health, raises public awareness of the importance of
preventing mental illness and helps alleviate the suffering of
those affected. This mission is clearly reflected in its Partners
for Life program, which aims to help young people, parents and
secondary 3, 4 and 5 faculty understand mental illness and,
more specifically, depression in teenagers. Every year, the Mental
Illness Foundation supports 50,000 young people and adults, and its
activities are entirely funded by public donations. The Foundation
also has an online directory of resources with more than 1,000
mental health organizations.
Information:
Line Bellavance
Communications
Director
Mental Illness
Foundation
514 529-5354,
ext. 226
lbellavance@fondationdesmaladiesmentales.org
Sources:
fondationdouglas.qc.ca
http://www.iusmm.ca/foundation.html
fondationdesmaladiesmentales.org
letstalk.bell.ca
Photo: From left to right: Daryl
White, CEO & Group Head of BMO Capital Markets;
Martine Turcotte, Vice Chair,
Québec, Bell; Jacques Daoust,
Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport
Electrification; Mary Deacon,
Chair of Bell Let's Talk; Michel
Tourangeau, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors,
Foundation l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal;
George Cope, President and
CEO, BCE and Bell; Donald
Bastien, Chair of the Board of Directors, Mental Illness
Foundation; Serge Godin,
Founder, Executive Chair, CGI; Geoff
Molson, Owner, President and CEO of the Montréal
Canadiens, the Bell Centre and evenko; Monique Vallée, City
Councillor, Montréal / Manager of social and community development
and homelessness; Louis
Vachon, President and CEO, National Bank;
Marisa Giannetti, Chair of
the Board of Directors, Douglas Mental Health Institute Foundation;
Dr Gaétan Barrette, Minister of Health and Social Services;
and Denis Coderre, Mayor of
Montréal.
SOURCE Bell Canada