Gifts of Light brings happiness to patients at CAMH.
Betsy Holmes, left, sings carols with Gabriella Golea, the administrative director of the Geriatric Mental Health Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Staff photo/ERIN HATFIELD
The annual Gifts of Light campaign truly does brings happiness to the lives of inpatients at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
That according to Gabriella Golea, the administrative director of the geriatric mental health program at CAMH, whose clients were waiting with smiles and excitement as they waited for members of the Parkdale Fire Station No. 426 to deliver their gifts Dec. 21.
"So many of our clients here in the geriatric program, by virtue of being older, they have suffered a number of losses in their life," Golea said. "Some don't have a lot to look forward to at this time of year."
But the Gifts of Light and the visit by fire fighters help curb feelings of loneliness and isolation, Golea said.
Launched by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation, Gifts of Light is a campaign to help psychiatric patients over the holidays. Now in its third year, the Gifts of Light campaign provides practical and meaningful gifts to CAMH patients during the holiday season.
Kay Takashima, a client at the geriatric mental health program at CAMH, said for her it's not about the gift, but rather the kindness being shown both by donors and the fire fighters coming it to visit.
"Christmas can be a lonely time because for some it represents family and for those who do not have family I think it is very tough for them," she said, adding that gifts and visits can help bring a smile to some faces over the holiday.
Last year, 600 Gifts of Light were distributed - one for every CAMH inpatient. This year's campaign has been expanded to include patients undergoing outpatient treatment.
Unlike other GTA hospitals, CAMH has no gift shop and because of the stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction, many patients receive few visits, cards or gifts from their loved ones, which makes the holidays especially difficult and isolating.
"Historically there is a stigma attached to mental illness, so by bringing folks in and having them spend time with our clients, it helps to dispel that stigma," she said.
The gift packages, which are purchased using donations from the public, include pajamas and robes, bath products, hats, gloves and a blanket for inpatients. There are also educational grants to support a patient's educational pursuits and healthy breakfasts for patients receiving outpatient treatment.
The gifts vary from unit to unit, but everyone gets a hand-written card from the foundation with their gift.
Kay Takashima, a client at the geriatric mental health program at CAMH, said for her it's not about the gift, but rather the kindness being shown both by donors and the fire fighters coming it to visit.
"Christmas can be a lonely time because for some it represents family and for those who do not have family I think it is very tough for them," she said, adding that gifts and visits can help bring a smile to some faces over the holiday.