2024 Recipients
2024 CAGP-CCSMH Award Recipients
Congratulations to the 2024 award recipients for being recognized for their leadership and impactful work in mental health. Learn more about these incredible individuals creating positive change in the realm of older adults' mental health in Canada.
left to right: Aysha Basharat and Dana Zummach, RIA, Award recipients; Dr. Dallas Seitz, Co-chair, CCSMH; Claire Checkland, Executive Director, CCSMH
Vision Award
2024 Recipient: Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging
The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA), based in Waterloo, is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing quality of life and care for older adults. The nomination highlighted the Forward with Dementia national initiative. This initiative plays a crucial role in combating the negative perceptions about dementia by raising awareness about living well with the condition. It offers individuals and their families a different experience following their diagnosis, giving them hope and the support they want and need to continue to live life fully. The team has taken great care in partnering with eight cultural communities to better understand their specific needs and to work together to adapt and disseminate resources. The passion and dedication of the Forward with Dementia team to work together with older adults and those from diverse cultural communities are breaking down barriers and creating more supportive communities for Canadians living with the condition.
The Research Institute for Aging is this year’s Vision Award recipient because of their demonstrated commitment to combatting ageism and stigma, addressing diversity and inclusion, and meeting a priority need in the community.
left to right: Dr. Dallas Seitz, Co-chair, CCSMH; Claire Checkland, Executive Director, CCSMH; Debra Walko, Award recipient
Seniors’ Mental Health Outstanding Care and Integrative Practice Award
2024 Recipient: Debra Walko
Debra Walko is a long-standing employee with LOFT Community Services based in Toronto whose recent work has involved serving seniors with mental health and addiction challenges who face poverty, homelessness, and isolation. Together with Trillium Health Partners, Debra created a LOFT supportive housing site that was designed to help transition seniors with mental health challenges out of hospital. Debra has done this with a dozen hospitals and believes all innovation should happen across sectors and in teams—she has been a trailblazer. Debra also created the ‘Back to Home’ and ‘The Path Home’ models to help transition homeless seniors in hospitals to a supportive home in the community.
Debra’ colleague said:
“Debra is a highly respected leader in the field of Seniors and Mental health. Along with LOFT colleagues, Debra has trailblazed new paths to quality care for people of all ages—especially those the health care system leaves behind. While forging these paths, she has brought on new partners, brought new skills and abilities to our team and inspired those around her to never lose sight of the individual and their dignity.”