- patron - n. a person chosen, named or honoured as a special guardian, protector or supporter.
The Canadian Mental Health Association is pleased to have three honourary patrons, Rafe Mair, Dulcie McCallum and Margaret Trudeau. CMHA proudly recognizes the contributions, dedication, support and encouragement that Rafe, Dulcie and Margaret have made to the lives of people with mental illness and their families.
Rafe Mair
Media Personality
Throughout his tenure in the legislature, Mair served in Premier Bill Bennett's cabinet; his portfolios included consumer and corporate affairs, the environment, and health. In 1981, Mair left government for a job as a talk-radio host for the Vancouver station CJOR. Three years later he began broadcasting for the rival station CKNW; until 2003, he hosted a morning talk show there, with the largest radio audience in Vancouver. Until 2005, Rafe was the morning talent on CKBD, 600AM. Currently, Rafe has a show on JOY-TV, Channel 10 called “The Search”, has just published 8 books and is in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' Hall of Fame. This past June Mair received an honorary LL.D from Simon Fraser University.
"I support the Canadian Mental Health Association for a couple of reasons. First of all, as a consumer I've been treated for depression for over 20 years and know what it's like to need and receive understanding and care. I'm in a position where I can show the way to the help that is available to so many who for various reasons don't get it. Secondly, one of the great shames in our society is the way we treat mental health – I shudder to think what would happen if physically sick people were treated the same - and the CMHA does great service in trying to rectify this wrong."
Dulcie McCallum
Former BC Ombudsman
Dulcie McCallum has lived in Victoria since beginning law school at UVIC in 1978. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Dulcie was a RN working as a Public Health Nurse for the Haida Nation in the Queen Charlotte Islands, in the BC Penn with maximum security inmates and as Vancouver City Police Nurse. Since attaining her LLB she has been in private practice here in Victoria with the firm of Vickers and Palmer. During this period Dulcie volunteered extensively in Victoria as the President of Hospice and as a director on the Transition House Board that gained her the honour of being named a Woman of Distinction from the YWCA in the community service category. Just prior to being appointed the first woman Ombudsman for the Province of BC she worked as a legal affairs strategist for the Canadian Association for Community Living, a national association advocating for legal and systemic change for people who have a disability. She has been named Distinguished Alumni at UVIC and serves as Honourary Patron for the Canadian Mental Health Association with radio host Rafe Mair. Today she lives and works in Victoria as a consultant.
"It was an honour to be asked to let my name stand as a patron for the Canadian Mental Health Association. I believe the association invited me to be a patron because of the contribution I made to the lives of people with a mental illness and their families while Ombudsman for the Province of BC. In particular, I think it was a testimony to my report Listening: A Review of Riverview Hospital. I want to continue, now as patron, to try to encourage government and the public to work towards making the lives of people who struggle with a mental illness, lives of well-being, equality and inclusion."
Margaret Trudeau
Celebrated Canadian and Mental Health Advocate
Margaret Trudeau became the youngest Prime Minister's wife in Canadian history when she married Pierre Elliot Trudeau at the age of 22. For all her adult life, she has suffered from the debilitating effects of her bipolar condition. Now, after seeking medical treatment that has given her balance and happiness, she advocates strongly on mental health issues, helping people overcome the stigma of mental illness that often prevents sufferers from getting help. She is working with The Royal Ottawa Hospital to raise funds for their new hospital and raise public awareness of mental health issues. As a speaker at CMHA BC Division's 2007 Bottom Line Conference on mental illness in the workplace, she courageously shared her story of recovery from mental illness and 'emerging into light,' garnering national and provincial media coverage on mental health issues.
Shelagh Rogers
Broadcast Journalist
Shelagh Rogers began her radio career while hosting a classical music program at the Queen’s University radio station—she was offered a job as the program director for a local country and western station. She joined CBC in 1980, and it was at this station that she interviewed Canadian broadcaster, writer and reporter Peter Gzowski, and accepted his invitation to read listener mail on his program, Morningside. She would go on to become Deputy Host of the program. Rogers also hosted local current affairs programs and visual and performing arts programs; she was part of the humorous CBC show, Basic Black; and worked with the likes of Canadian radio greats such as Max Ferguson. In 2000, Rogers began hosting CBC Radio’s flagship daily current affairs program This Morning, which paved the way for her own morning show, Sounds Like Canada. In 2008, Rogers became the host of The Next Chapter, a weekly program devoted to Canadian writing. A passionate mental health speaker, Rogers has received awards from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, as well as awards for her devotion to literacy and broadcasting. In 2008, CMHA National honoured her with with their Media Award for her outstanding contributions to to the coverage of mental health issues in Canada.