The CMHR was proud to host a visit by Catherine Fife, MPP (Kitchener-Waterloo). CMHR Executive Director, Dr. David Moscovitch, and CMHR Director, Dr. Ian Nicholson, were joined in hosting Ms. Fife by St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s Operational Stress Injury Clinic (OSIC) Coordinator, Bev Vanderheide, and OSI Psychologist, Dr. Shannon Gifford.
The tour of our facilities included a broad, thoughtful discussion with Ms. Fife of mental health treatment in our community, including the role that the CMHR has in providing psychology services to those in need. We also described the processes of our important relation with St. Joseph’s that provides veterans and active members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP with a comprehensive mental health assessment, a vital first step in supporting those with potential operational stress injury.
“We were very impressed by Ms. Fife’s clear understanding and concern for the mental health needs of our community” said Dr. Moscovitch. “It is heartening to hear an elected official speak so thoughtfully on the difficult issues confronted by her constituents.”
The CMHR recognizes that the support of caring leaders such as Ms. Fife is critical for enabling our program to develop and share effective and accessible mental health services to those in need while continuing to train future generations of mental health professionals. Through these efforts, we are helping to enhance awareness of mental health issues and to reduce the stigma associated with them.
