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OTIP donates $10,000 to CMHA Ontario, mental health on campus


May 7, 2019 – OTIP is pleased to provide a donation of $10,000 to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario Division to support the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health (CICMH). 

The funds were raised during OTIP’s annual social media campaign in support of Bell Let’s Talk Day. The campaign encourages engagement on OTIP’s social media platforms on Bell Let’s Talk Day by donating $1 to CMHA Ontario for every like and share of its posts on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. 

This marks the second-consecutive year OTIP has made a $10,000 donation to CMHA Ontario.

“We heard from many of our members who told us they’re looking for less talk and more action,” said OTIP vice-president of group life and disability claims Gail Enever. “We’re dedicated to members of the education community, so we wanted to align our donation with CMHA efforts that specifically support education. The Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health is the perfect fit.”

The Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health is a partnership involving Colleges Ontario, the Council of Ontario Universities, the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance, the College Student Alliance and CMHA Ontario. 

CICMH works with post-secondary mental health service providers, student services, faculty, administration, student leaders and community partners to build the mental health knowledge and capacity of front-line staff and student leaders while fostering innovation and collaboration that promotes systemic responses in the post-secondary system. 

CICMH also encourages the development of strategic partnerships to take advantage of external knowledge, resources and relationships that address mental health needs of students. For example, CICMH in part works to develop support systems for students to deal with life challenges such as transitions from high school to post-secondary and employment prospects after graduation.

“We’re thrilled to accept this donation on behalf of the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health,” said CMHA Ontario CEO Camille Quenneville. “This generous contribution will support CICMH’s tireless work with Ontario’s colleges and universities to enhance student mental health and well-being.”

“We at CICMH would like to thank OTIP for their contribution,” said CICMH director Marija Padjen. “Their generosity allows us to better carry out our mandate to support campus and community partners in addressing the mental wellness of post-secondary students in Ontario.”

Fast facts: 

  • 70 per cent of mental health issues have their onset between the ages of 18 and 25.

  • 40 per cent of post-secondary students use mental health services by their final year.

  • Almost 75 per cent of students say they’ve felt overwhelming anxiety, while 60 per cent say they’ve been depressed to the point it was difficult to function.

 
For more information, contact:

Patricia Wilkinson-Bizjak
Vice-President, Corporate Affairs and Communications
Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan
T: 1-877-260-3892 ext. 2615
E: pwilkinson-bizjak@otip.com 

Justin Dickie
Communications Coordinator
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario 
T: 416-977-5580, ext. 4175
E: jdickie@ontario.cmha.ca

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