In honour of the upcoming wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Royal Canadian Mint has released a special silver collector coin crafted with their likenesses. The official unveiling was held Wednesday morning at CAMH, where it was also announced that a $25,000 donation was being made at their request to CAMH.
“We are honoured that Prince Harry continues to show his support for mental health and CAMH,” said CAMH Foundation President and CEO Deborah Gillis. “He is a shining example of leaders who are willing to put up their hand and promote the importance of mental health in our society. Thank you, Prince Harry.”
When Prince Harry visited CAMH last September and met with senior scientists as well as former and current youth patients, the universal consensus among those he interacted with was that he had a genuine passion for the work of CAMH and the patients who benefit from it.
“I have heard directly from people who met him how they were moved by his sincerity, passion and eagerness to learn,” said Gillis. He was excited to hear from staff about their work and how it impacts patients. He listened attentively to stories from patients who sought treatment at CAMH. He showed them they were important and valued.”
Also attending the coin unveiling were Royal Canadian Mint President and CEO Sandra Hanington and Whitby federal Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development Ms. Celina Caesar-Chavannes, who both spoke movingly about how mental illness in general and CAMH in particular have impacted their lives.
“I am a proud mental health advocate in Canada,” said Hanington, who founded the mental health advocacy organization jack.org with her husband in memory of their son, who died by suicide at the age of 18 in 2010. “Then, and now, we were supported by and inspired by the fine people here at CAMH. Compassion and understanding are great Canadian values we are proud to celebrate and preserve on our coins.”
“I have been very public with my story of major depression disorder and anxiety,” said Celina Caesar-Chavannes. “Every action we take to remove the stigma of mental illness helps everyone move closer to optimal mental health.”
Proceeds from the donation will be used to advance research, care and education at CAMH.