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Comedy-themed event raises funds and awareness in support of mental health

TORONTO, Nov.13, 2014 One in five Canadians will experience a mental health issue each
year. Twenty-four per cent of all deaths among 15 to 24 year olds result from suicide.
Organizations like the Canadian Mental Health Association work diligently to ensure those
affected by mental illness have the information and resources necessary to live happy, healthy
lives.
Students of Centennial College are set to host a comedy-themed event in support of the
CMHA. Influenced by the recent passing of comedic legend Robin Williams, the group feels that
merging discussions of mental illness with comedy is relevant and necessary.
Mental illness is alarmingly prevalent within the comedy industry, said Ali Seller, a student
organizer. Because of that, we think its a great idea to use laughter to help raise money for
this important cause.
The CMHA is thrilled to be a part of the event. I had a very similar idea for an event, so Im
thrilled this group appeared to bring that idea to life, said Ryan Lindsay development
coordinator for the CMHA,
Toronto-based comedian Sandro Veri will host the event, with performances coming from:
Mark Little seasoned comedian known for his role on CBCs Mr. D and performances at
Montreals Just For Laughs festival
Rebecca Kohler voted Best Female Stand-Up Comedian for 2013 by Torontos Reader
Poll
Entertainers from Bad Dog Theatre Company will perform an improvised skit as well
No Laughing Matter will take place on Nov. 24, 2014 at the Bad Dog Theatre Company (875
Bloor St. W.). It will run from 6:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. For more information, visit the event
Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/nolaughingmatterTO
About the Canadian Mental Health Association
The CMHA is a charitable organization that works to provide those affected by mental illness
with the information and resources they need to lead happy, healthy lives. It is the largest
community-based mental health agency in Canada with chapters in a variety of cities including
Toronto. For more information, visit http://www.cmha.ca/
About Centennial College
Established in 1966, Centennial College is Ontarios first public college, primarily serving the
eastern portion of the Greater Toronto Area through four campuses. It has a record of
exemplary teaching, innovative programming and extensive partnership building. With a fulltime enrolment of 19,000 students, Centennial is recognized as one of the most culturally
diverse post-secondary institutions in Canada. For details, visit www.centennialcollege.ca

-30Brianna Hurley
Media and sponsorship coordinator, No Laughing Matter
(647) 466-7189
nolaughingmatterto@gmail.com

Canadian Mental Health Association (Toronto Chapter) - Fact sheet

CMHA at a glance

Nation-wide voluntary organization with national, provincial and local offices

Vision: Mentally healthy people in a healthy society

Mission: CMHA facilitates access to the resources people need to maintain and improve
mental health and community integration, build resilience and support recovery from
mental illness

Established in 1953

Headquarters: Toronto, Ont.

CEO: Peter Coleridge

Website: http://toronto.cmha.ca

Key services

Community support for people with mental illnesses

Education and mental health promotion for all members of the community

Advocacy for mental well-being

Who they are

The Canadian Mental Health Association (Toronto) is the largest community-based mental
health agency in Canada with 11 sites across the city serving more than 8,000 clients each
year.

What they do

Social support programs and specialized services including:

o

Early Psychosis Intervention Program

Transitional Youth Program

Educational services

Mental health and justice programs

CMHA Torontos support services help people:

Live in the community, with clean, safe, affordable accommodation

Work in the community, through paid employment or volunteer activities

Belong in the community, as engaged, valued and contributing members

About mental health

One in every five Canadians will have a mental health problem at some point in their lives
Mental illness is a collection of disorders such as: depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety
Mental illness affects all genders, age groups and is found in every ethno-cultural and

socio-economic group
Mental illness is usually the result of a combination of physical, environmental and social
factors

No Laughing Matter Fact sheet

NLM at a glace

Comedy-themed, student run, charity event in support of the

Canadian Mental Health Association.

Twitter: @NLMtoronto Join the conversation: #NoLaughingMatterTO

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nolaughingmatterTO
Instagram: http://instagram.com/nlmtoronto
Email: nolaughingmatterto@gmail.com

Who we are

Centennial College postgraduate students studying corporate communications and public

relations
Backgrounds in communication studies, political science, humanities, English, psychology
and business

Our mission

To raise awareness and help fade out the stigma that surrounds mental health issues
To start conversations surrounding mental illness in comedy sphere
To raise $500 in funds for the CMHAs Transitional Youth Program (TYP)

The event

Monday Nov. 24, 2014 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Venue: Bad Dog Theatre Company (875 Bloor St. W. Toronto, Ont.)

The talent

Mark Little
o Known for his role on CBCs Mr. D
o Performed at Montreals Just For Laughs Festival

Rebecca Kohler
o Best Female Comedian for 2013 according to Toronto Readers Poll
o 2013 Canadian Comedy Award for Best Live Taping

Colin Munch and Craig Anderson

o Bad Dog Repertory Players
o Voted Best Improv Troupe in Toronto in 2013 by readers of NOW Magazine

Sandro Veri
o Local, Toronto-based comedian and honorary host of the event.

Connect on social media to learn more

@NLMtoronto

NoLaughingMatterTO

NLMTORONTO

Charity background
The Canadian Mental Health Association
As a national voluntary organization founded in 1918, the
Canadian Mental Health Associations mission to support
resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness is
fulfilled through the team unity of 10,000 volunteers and staff across

Canada

in over 120 communities.

Founded as the Canadian National Committee for Mental Hygiene on Jan.

26,

1918 by Dr. Clarence M. Hincks and Clifford W. Beers, the

organization began as a care provider for military soldiers. The
organization provided psychiatric examination of army recruits, mental examination of postwar immigrants to Canada and facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
After soliciting friends and professionals in the medical industry to join the committee, the
organization won support from universities in Toronto and Montreal. As the committee
continued to grow, Dr. Hincks extended the program to Quebec City and Ottawa.
With expansion into new areas, Lieutenant Colonel Colin Russel gave the organization the
opportunity to provide analyses of the Salvation Army Industrial Home and the Home for
Incurables in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Hincks and Marjorie Keyes, a graduate nurse with
the CNCMH, were so shocked at what they found that they immediately went to Winnipeg to
consult with government representatives to report on their findings and make
recommendations to improve the structure of the facilities. The thorough analyses, which were
quickly responded to and implemented by the province, made other provinces interested in

having similar surveys done. Over the next four years, surveys were carried out in British
Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
As the practice continued to expand, soldier care continued as Dr. C. K. Clark, Medical Director
of the CNCMH, published a survey in 1920 highlighting the problems of shell shock and other
neuropsychiatric issues affecting soldiers.
Aside from their work with soldiers, the organization worked in the analysis of schools as Dr.
Hincks pressed for surveys to assess the mental health of schoolchildren. In 1918, the
organization began providing surveys for schools. It was found that in every province, mental
disorder was more frequent than expected and preventive programs were not in place.
Following this conclusion, provincial governments spent over $6 million to improve facilities for
the mentally ill.

-2The results of the school initiative resulted in over 150 special classes for mentally challenged
children implemented by school boards. This was the beginning of public and professional
education in mental health and psychiatry.
To this day, the Canadian Mental Health Association promotes its mission of being the nationwide champion for mental health by facilitating access to the resources people require to
maintain and improve mental health and community integration. Through a number of branch
programs and services, the CMHA assists with: employment, housing, early intervention for
youth, peer support and recreation services for those with mental illness. In addition, the
CMHA acts as a social advocate to encourage public action and commitment to strengthening
community mental health services and legislation, as well as policies affecting social services.
Follow the Canadian Mental Health Association on social media to learn more:

-30-

Peter Coleridge CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association

Peter Coleridge is the National Chief Executive Officer of
the Canadian Mental Health Association. He has over 20
years of professional and volunteer experience at the
provincial, national and international levels in the health
and social service sectors.
Mr. Coleridge has had a variety of leadership roles
including: vice-president of education and population
health at the B.C. Mental Health and Addiction Services
and vice-president of education, communications and
health promotion at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. In his time at the
B.C. Mental Health and Addiction Services, he led a variety of projects including the
development of a provincial plan to decrease discrimination and increase understanding of
mental health issues.

With a masters of health science as well as a background in public relations and executive
health leadership, Coleridge has implemented his knowledge throughout his career.
He also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser
University. As CEO, Coleridge uses his expertise to strengthen the role and profile of the CMHA
through educating communities about mental health policies and initiatives across the country.

Team biographies
The No Laughing Matter team is a diverse group
of young individuals brought together by a
shared passion for effective and purposeful
communication. As postgraduate students of the
corporate communications and public relations
program at Centennial College, we are applying
this passion to develop our skills.
Mike Hajmasy is an enthusiastic, self-motivated
individual with experience in the fields of
marketing, copywriting and communications. As
someone who values relationships with
substance, Mike makes it his mission to connect with people on a meaningful level. Outside of
his professional realm, Mike enjoys staying active and playing the drums.

Brianna Hurley has a spirited personality that can fill a room. As a member of multiple different
community volunteer committees, Brianna has gained considerable experience planning and
coordinating conferences, meetings, social events and activities for as many as 500 people.
Lukas Pesa comes equipped with a background in sales, which helps him interpret information
and communicate effectively on behalf of a team. As someone who enjoys learning about
business, politics and culture, Lukas embraces any opportunity to expand his knowledge and
broaden his horizons.
Sarah May is an organizing specialist having played a variety of different roles in the areas of
customer service and office administration. With volunteer experience in event planning for
charity campaigns, Sarah has learned to adapt when working in a fast-paced environment.
Ali Seller is a light hearted, enthusiastic individual with experience planning events from a
young age. Ali is comfortable with all stages of the organizational process and especially
enjoys recruiting sponsors to contribute towards a meaningful cause. When free time presents
itself, Ali enjoys exploring new places.
Caitlin Heffernan is a driven individual who thrives in collaborative situations. As the public
relations co-ordinator for Conservation Queens, Caitlin gained experience organizing
sponsorship and soliciting a variety of venues. Caitlin is no stranger to working in support of a
cause and jumps at any opportunity to make a positive contribution to her community.

No Laughing Matter PSA

Did you know that two out of every 10 people will experience a form of mental
illness in their lifetime? What if those two people were your family or friends?
In Canada, only one out of five children who need mental health services
receives them. You can help. On November 24 from 6:00-9:30 p.m. come to
the Bad Dog Theatre Company near Ossington station for No Laughing
Matter, a comedy night to support the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Tickets are $10 at the door.

Connect with us on social by searching @NLMtoronto