On November 5, Supervised Alternative Learning (SAL) Youth Worker Heather Hawco-Gray and the Talking About Mental Illness (TAMI) Coalition were honoured as recipients of the Jordan James Pickell Mental Health Achievement Recognition Award. Hawco-Gray has been working with the Durham District School Board for over 30 years. She is also the Chair of the Committee of the TAMI Coalition, and is extremely dedicated to her special work with them, which results is such a positive impact for community members. The Coalition is made up of community partners who support the mental health and well-being of youth, adults and families in schools and the broader community.
Heather Hawco-Gray alongside her TAMI Coalition colleagues and National Executive Director of the Mood Disorder Society Dave Gallson.
"TAMI helps to build acceptance, awareness and bring hope to our community and supports the vision and objectives of the DDSB Well-Being and Mental Health Strategic Plan," Hawco-Gray explains. "We continue to share knowledge and ideas in the hopes that the people in the community and beyond know they are not alone."
The Mood Disorders Society of Canada presents the Jordan James Pickell Mental Health Achievement Recognition Award to an organization which has made outstanding contributions to mental health education and anti-stigma activities that have had a positive impact on the mental health community. In this case specifically, by actively engaging students and staff in understanding and accepting mental illness and the importance of mental health, TAMI was chosen for the award.
Members of the Durham District School Board team came out to support Heather Hawco-Gray during the Jordan James Pickell Mental Health Achievement Recognition Award presentation. (L-R) Director of Education Lisa Millar, Vice Chairperson and Trustee for Brock, Scugog & Uxbridge Carolyn Morton, Supervised Alternative Learning (SAL) Youth Worker Heather Hawco-Gray, and Superintendents of Education Stephen Nevills and Georgette Davis.
"I'm really proud of the work you do through your Coalition, and what you've achieved," says Dave Gallson, National Executive Director of the Mood Disorder Society of Canada.
This is a national award and this year 60 organizations were nominated. The selection process is very rigorous and the short-listed nominees are voted on by the Mood Disorder Society of Canada Board of Directors.
"Supporting the mental health of students and families is a team effort," Hawco-Gray says. "This is really a team award."
