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CPA recognizes courage of Lt.-Gen (Ret.) Roméo Dallaire in raising awareness about mental illness with MIAW award
The CPA has awarded its 2003 Special Recognition Award for Mental Illness Awareness to Lt.-Gen (Retired) Roméo Dallaire. The award honours Dallaire for his courage, leadership and dedication in raising awareness about mental illness in Canada’s workplaces despite the mental health challenges he has faced as a result of his own work. Dr. Pierre Beauséjour presented Dallaire with the award during Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) on behalf of the CPA and the more than 20 national organizations that partner with the CPA on MIAW. The ceremony took place at the federal government’s inaugural interdepartmental Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Conference in Ottawa on October 1. Lt.-Gen (Ret.) Dallaire was the EAP conference’s keynote speaker. Dallaire is a renowned Canadian expert on the subject of workplace health. A highly decorated soldier, he served for 30 years with the Canadian Armed Forces. Recently retired, he has spearheaded the effort to redefine the long-term professional development and training requirements of the Canadian Forces officer corps, and he continues this work in an advisory role. He also continues to work on the Canadian Armed Forces Mental Health Project. His speech to the federal government employees at the conference highlighted the importance of recognizing mental health issues in the workplace. “Despite how difficult it must be at times for you, your willingness to continue to speak about your own challenges and about mental health and mental illness in relation to workplace issues helps break down barriers and stigma,” said Dr. Beauséjour in presenting Dallaire with the CPA’s Special Recognition Award for Mental Illness Awareness. “Mental Illness should always be approached as a human issue and you brought a human face to the workplace of the armed forces of Canada. It is by sharing personal experiences with mental illness that we will be able to change attitudes.” The EAP conference, presented in partnership with several government departments along with the CPA, was just one of several events using the backdrop of the MIAW 2003 national public education campaign to profile mental illness issues. DV |
