Breakfast for the Unbroken a Huge Success

Wednesday, 8 April 2015 13:58

Hundreds of people fill the Quality Hotel and Suites to take part in Breakfast for the Unbroken

WOODSTOCK - Over 230 guests met this morning at the Quality Hotel and Suites to discuss a topic surrounding the stigma attached with mental health and suicide. Member of the Rotary Club of Woodstock as well as the Executive Director at the Canadian Mental Health Association, Mike McMahon, describes what was taking place. "Our Rotary Club is elated with the turnout together with the 5 Rotary Clubs in Oxford County. We started talking about this last summer to bring awareness to the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide."

For those who could not make it to the sold out 2015 event McMahon offers hope for next year. "If you can't make it today, we will be back next year in and around the month of April. As we move through the month of April we are preparing mental health week and look for the Breakfast for the Unbroken in 2015."

Keynote speaker of the event George Smitherman wants you to know that anyone can make a difference. "We have power to address the situation, powers found in each and everyone of us! Anything we can do to enliven the conversation about mental illness in our families and our communities is far more powerful than government spending alone." Smitherman has travelled throughout the province and feels the county is right where it needs to be in regards to awareness. By the evidence on who was in room today Oxford is doing great! Health care organizations are working well together, I think that Oxford is doing wonderfully well and anything I can do to encourage them to do even better is is great!''

One of the highlights of the morning was the 4 Champion Awards of Oxford being distributed. The list of honouree's were comprised of different leaders from around the county that included Community Sergeant for the OPP in Ingersoll, Sam Horton who was very appreciative of the honour. "It is recognition for the folks in Oxford County that are working diligently to assist those that are suffering from mental health episodes and illnesses. I was somewhat surprised and humbled that I had been selected for the award."

The 2nd award was handed out to Community Administer Coordinator for the Salvation Army in Tillsonburg Donna Acre who thought it was special to be recognized. "I think it is quite important that other people see what you are doing so that can take a hold of that and they can make it a snowball effect." The 2 other to accept awards were Bill McCleish from Woodstock and the Tavistock Ministerial Network.