TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 3, 2015) -
Editors' Note: There is a photo associated with this release.
Canadians actor-comedian Scott Thompson of The Kids in the Hall and singer-songwriter Lorraine Segato of The Parachute Club will join forces June 16, 2015 to support and mark a mental health milestone ― the evolution of Progress Place's pioneering mental health peer support helpline to include online chat and text messaging.
Known as the Warm Line (WarmLine.ca), the program became the first in Canada in 1995 to offer telephone-based support to people living with mental illness from peers who have also struggled with mental health issues. Receiving more than 9,000 calls per year, the Warm Line offers support seven days a week from 8:00 p.m. ET to midnight, a time when most other community mental health services are closed.
Recently, the program was expanded to offer online chat and text messaging support to anyone living in the Greater Toronto Area, making it one of the few services of its kind in Canada.
"Progress Place supported my brother Dean, who had schizophrenia, so I'm thrilled to be able to support Progress Place," said Scott Thompson. Scott is currently on a North American tour with the Canadian sketch comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall, which formed in 1984, the same year as Progress Place.
Thompson will host a 30th anniversary gala in support of the Warm Line and Progress Place on June 16, 2015 at The Fifth Social Club. The 1980s inspired event will also welcome Retired Major-General Lewis MacKenzie, Deloitte's General Counsel Kenneth Fredeen, and former CBC News anchor Hilary Brown as honorary co-chairs of the event. Lorraine Segato of The Parachute Club will be the musical guest.
"My experience as an artist has taught me that mental health issues come in many forms. I believe in a strong community foundation of care for all those who suffer -- that's why I'm happy to support Progress Place," said Lorraine Segato. Having just released a new album Invincible Decency, the Parachute Club front person continues to be an activist voice for people around the world who exhibit incredible strength while dealing with immense challenges like mental illness.
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, an estimated 20% of Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. Progress Place offers community-based psychosocial rehabilitation to more than 800 members, who also have access to opportunities for housing, employment and education.
"Support for programs like the Warm Line is vital to helping individuals with mental illness regain their self-confidence and independence so that they can be valued members of our communities," said Brenda Singer, Executive Director of Progress Place. "Now, more than ever, we need the latest tools and resources to allow those living with mental illness the chance for recovery in a community filled with hope, respect and opportunity."
Tickets for the June 16 Progress Place 30th Anniversary Gala in support of the Warm Line are still available and may be purchased online. They are $175 each, with a charitable receipt of $75.
About Progress Place
Progress Place is a registered charity dedicated to improving the lives of people living with mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and severe depression. The organization, which provides services and support to over 800 members annually, is a member of Clubhouse International, a global non-profit that helps create sustainable community solutions to help people with mental illness. Progress Place also provides supportive housing for 125 men and women, provides part-time, paid supported employment opportunities to over 200 members in partnership with the business community and offers a social and recreational program that operates 365 days a year. More information is available at www.progressplace.org.
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