Dr. Nancy Hall Speaking Up Speaking Out Fund

Making a difference by informing public policy

Nancy Hall was a health researcher, educator, mediator, writer, presenter and most importantly a friend and a voice with and for people with a mental illness. She had the courage and conviction to expect governments and communities to do the right thing for their citizens.

Nancy was a long time friend and advocate of CMHA and with encouragement from us and others she applied for the position of Mental Health Advocate and was the first and only advocate appointed by a Minister of Health in BC. Nancy took the 18 month position in August 1998 and when the position ended in 2001 so did systems advocacy within a government context.

This endowment is named in her honour for the voice she brought to CMHA by speaking out on issues, assisting with policy papers, presenting at inquiries and just being available as a trusted advisor. Her energy was tireless and her enthusiasm was infectious. Over the last decade Nancy has worked on many projects for CMHA and her contribution will live on in this endowment.

On March 26, 2011 the CMHA BC Division Board approved the following motion:

• That the CMHA BC Division Board approve an initial investment of $50,000 for the establishment of the Dr. Nancy Hall Speaking Up Speaking Out Endowment Fund. The Association will commit to growing the endowment to $1 Million. The Fund will support CMHA’s continued work in public policy and systemic advocacy at the provincial level and provide an informed independent voice on the impact of the public mental health system on the lives of people with mental illness and substance use problems and their families.

In 2012, CMHA BC made an additional investment of $50,000 to the fund.

CMHA also established an annual provincial award - the Dr. Nancy Hall Award for Public Policy Leadership.The award recipient is be honoured at the BC Division annual meeting and a $500 gift designated for the recipient’s charity of choice.

Read more about Nancy Hall's work and achievements.