Steve Lurie, tireless mental health advocate, appointed to Order of Canada

 Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario would like to congratulate Steve Lurie, Executive Director of the CMHA Toronto Branch, on his appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada.

For more than 40 years, Steve has been a tireless advocate, fighting to improve the mental health system and being a voice for individuals who are often marginalized because of stigma and discrimination.

Lurie was among 113 new appointees to the Order of Canada announced by Rideau Hall, the official residence of David Johnston, Governor General of Canada.

Recognized for his “contributions as a leading advocate and administrator in the field of mental health care,” Lurie will be invited to accept his insignia at a ceremony to be held at a later date.

While humbled by the honour, Lurie used the recognition as an opportunity to do what he does best: make the call for further system support for individuals living with a mental illness.

“An injection of just $120 per person over the next 10 years would give provinces the funds to implement their mental health plans and boost access to services, thereby reducing the burden of mental illness,” he said. “This will help change the statistic that although 20 per cent of Canadians live with a mental illness every year, only one in three get care.”

Lurie’s colleagues, meantime, are not surprised by the recognition.

“This affirms what many of us already knew. That’s Steve’s passion and commitment to improving mental health services has had a significant impact not only in Toronto and Ontario, but for the benefit of all Canadians,” said Catherine Anastakis, Board Chair for CMHA Toronto.

“Steve’s dedication, passion and drive to be a force of change to help those living with mental health challenges is second to none. His body of work is vast and it’s impossible to quantify the positive impact he’s made in our sector,” said Camille Quenneville, Chief Executive Officer, CMHA Ontario.

The Order of Canada is one of our country’s highest civilian honours and was established in 1967, during Canada’s centennial year, to recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Over the last 49 years, more than 6,500 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order