Montréal hospitals, the CSSS Cavendish (Centre de santé et de services sociaux) and community organizations organized the first annual 5 km Montreal Walks for Mental Health. We as a city were proud to host this event at Pierre Elliot Trudeau Park where fittingly former Canadian first lady Margaret Trudeau (and mom of Member of Parliament Justin) , served as honourary chair of the event. It was only a few years ago that Trudeau went public to discuss her diagnosis of bipolar disease. 
She is currently writing her third autobiographical book about the experience. One in five Canadians will be affected by mental illness in their lifetime. The main objective of Montreal Walks for Mental Health is to create public awareness, reducing stigma and raising funds for participating community organizations that provide mental health services. Participants were not asked to seek sponsors however, donations were being encouraged and directed towards the following organizations: Agence OMETZ, AMI Québec, Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors, Forward House and L’Abri en Ville. I do hope we host this event again next year. Pictured above (left to right): Councillor Allan J. Levine, Margaret Trudeau, Mayor Anthony Housefather, myself and Councillor Glenn J. Nashen.