April 26, 2010: In recognition of Children’s Mental Health Week and Education Week, the Halton Student Support Leadership Initiative, along with Halton Healthcare and Our Kids Network will be hosting - Talking Out Loud: Destigmatizing Mental Health Issues for Children and Families, on Monday, May 3 2010. 

The event will feature award-winning television broadcaster Valerie Pringle and her daughter Katherine Pringle. Valerie and Katherine will share their personal experience with mental health issues.

This mother and daughter team advocate for increased awareness and support for those suffering from mental health issues and the need for “talking out loud”.

Also speaking will be representatives from YODA’s Youth Advisory Committee (Youth Overcoming Depression and Anxiety); Dr. Joy Andres-Lemay, Manager of Clinical Services at Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK); Dr. Alan Brown, Chief of Psychiatry/Director of Child and Adolescent Inpatient Service at Halton Healthcare; and Barry Finlay, Director of Special Education Policy and Programs Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Education.

Displays and representatives from local community mental health organizations and community supports will also be present.

The event will take place at the Operating Engineers Banquet Centre on 2245 Speers Rd. in Oakville starting at 7 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. There is no charge to attend.

The event is co-sponsored by the Halton Student Support Leadership Initiative (which consists of Halton District School Board and Halton Catholic District School Board, ROCK, Connections Halton, Region of Halton, Woodview Children's Centre), plus Halton Healthcare and Our Kids Network.

For additional information, contact:
     Sue Brooks, Student Support Coordinator
     ROCK 
     sueb@rockonline.ca
    (905) 516-6816