Guelph’s Helen Fishburn is one of seven Canadians across the country to be recognized for her work in mental health by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) this year.
In August, Fishburn, CEO of Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington, was awarded the 2021 Champions of Mental Health: Community Individual Award.
Fishburn worked in numerous roles in the mental health and addictions field for over 25 years. She also worked in various leadership roles with the CMHA WW for over 18 years.
CMHA WW released a statement that Fishburn feels honoured to be the CEO of CMHA WW as it allows her to drive health care system change forward while overseeing care for people of all ages with complex needs.
Some defining career achievements for Fishburn include the creation and implementation of Here 24/7, a coordinated access centre for all mental health, addictions and crisis services in Waterloo Wellington, and IMPACT, a system in which Guelph Police Service officers and members of the CMHA WW respond to mental health, addiction and crisis related calls for service together.
Fishburn has been a key participant in the popular ‘Finding the Balance” webinars, created to respond to and support the mental health needs of our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2016, Helen received the Guelph Women of Distinction Award.
“If you ask Helen, her true pride and joy is her family – her husband and their two children keep her grounded and ever grateful,” read a press release by CMHA WW.
