Around Town: Upstream's Youth Matters Gala inspires hope

Not only did philanthropist and mental health advocate Barbara Crook deliver the keynote address at Thursday’s Upstream Ottawa gala but she also brought along an influential group of friends, all of whom have a keen interest in promoting mental health issues.

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From left, Upstream Mental Health Support Gala co-chairs Ruth Maxwell and Sylvia Cuhaci with keynote speaker Barbara Crook at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

With her were Do It For Daron (DIFD)’s Luke and Stephanie Richardson, who recently got to discuss mental health with Prince William and his wife, Kate, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; Danielle Robinson, president of the Ottawa Senators Foundation, which supports health and wellness amongst youth; and Patrick Dion, who’s served since 2007 on the board of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

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From left, Tomlinson Group of Companies president Kevin Cinq-Mars with his wife, Sara, and Stephanie Richardson and her husband, Luke Richardson, at the Upstream Mental Health Support Gala held at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

Her dinner table at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club included not one but two rabbis — Robert Morais and Reuven Bulka — along with Tomlinson president Kevin Cinq-Mars and his wife, Sara, both boosters of the mental health fundraising campaign at the Queensway Carleton Hospital. Before the night was over, Cinq-Mars successfully bid on an Erik Karlsson-signed hockey jersey that he then gifted to Anthony Millson.

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From left, former youth client Anthony Millson with Bo Turpin, director of clinical services and programming, at the Upstream Mental Health Support Gala held at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

The crowd of 160 had listened earlier to Millson share his story of struggle to stability, accompanied by this powerful message: never give up. His difficulties began at age 16, when he was diagnosed with severe depression, anxiety and OCD. He thought about dying. Then, Upstream came into his life. He lived from ages 21 to 28 in their Flora Street group home, where he got the support, compassion and encouragement he needed to return to school. He graduated last year from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He’s currently working as a dish washer but is thinking of returning to school for marketing.

“Upstream was a lifeline for me,” said Millson, who expressed his gratitude to the Upstream staff, in particular its director, Bo Turpin. “It guided me and gave me hope and security through my darkest days.”

Upstream Ottawa provides housing and other services to those in the community struggling with mental health issues. Funds raised at the gala benefit Upstream’s youth program, which offers services to young people and their families in an effort to help them in the early stages of their mental illness and in their transition to adult mental health services. The program began as a pilot project in 2008 but has been in full operation since 2012.

Back to lend her support as MC was well-known face Catherine Clark while Carrie Cuhaci served as live auctioneer. The gala was co-chaired by her mother-in-law, Sylvia Cuhaci, and Ruth Maxwell, both of whom have been publicly recognized for their volunteer advocacy and fundraising work.

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From left, gala emcee Catherine Clark with her friends, Mark Cuhaci and Carrie Cuhaci, who volunteered as live auctioneer for the Upstream Mental Health Support Gala held at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

Also on hand were Upstream board president Janet Helmer and Coun. Eli El-Chantiry, chair of the Ottawa Police Services board. As well, Dr. Raj Bhatla, chief psychiatrist with the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, was out supporting the cause.

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Kerry Ferland from presenting sponsor Scotiabank with Dr. Raj Bhatla, psychiatrist-in-chief and chief of staff of the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, at the Upstream Mental Health Support Gala held at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

The evening included a cheque presentation from the Bell Let’s Talk awareness campaign. Its $20,000-grant will help Upstream develop a volunteer infrastructure.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

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