Recognizing courage; nominations open for 22nd annual Coast Mental Health Courage To Come Back Awards

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – It’s that time of year again.

Nominations are now open for the 22nd annual Coast Mental Health Courage To Come Back Awards.

124 British Columbians have been recognized with a Courage To Come Back Award since the event began back in 1999.

Sandra Yuen McKay is a past recipient in the Mental Health category and she says it was life-changing.

“It’s really mind-boggling to have that kind of attention, recognition,” she says. “And that kind of platform and it leads to greater opportunities and more opportunities to give back the community as well. There were a thousand people and they applauded me. It made me feel like a different person.”

There are five categories — mental illness, addiction, medical, physical rehabilitation, and youth.

Darrell Burnham is the C.E.O of the Coast Mental Health Foundation. He says the awards highlight the fact that those who struggle with mental health, can get help and live a fulfilling life.

“We’re honouring people with mental illness, addiction, medical conditions, physical rehabilitation, and youth[…]and I would say that it’s just a way of honouring people, recognizing people, and being inspired in the process,” he says. “So, the power of the Courage To Come Back is that there is hope that your lives can get better, that you can have a very fulfilling life, despite what adversity you’ve been through in your life. And, for the 124 recipients, they’ve all proven that.”

Nominations close on January 30th, and the awards will be presented on May 20th.

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