MONTREAL, June 8 /CNW/ - On June 6, the Mental Illness Foundation
received a cheque in the amount of $100,000 from CIBC during the official
opening of the CIBC banking centre Quartier DIX30 in Brossard, QC. "Today, we
are pleased to contribute to the Mental Illness Foundation and support their
efforts to raise awareness about mental illness and demystify taboos related
to mental health issues in Quebec," declared Mr. Sylvain Vinet, Senior
Vice-President, CIBC Retail Markets, Eastern Canada.
    The donation, presented as part of the Foundation's fundraising campaign
"It's Urgent to Act", will allow it to pursue and develop its youth-oriented
program Partners for Life and the Nothing's Working? program targeting
employees and managers as well as its upcoming program aimed at preventing
depression in seniors. This most generous contribution on the part of CIBC
will also be used to establish a research fund to support young researchers in
the field of mental health and to create a multiservice centre for the
improvement of the quality of life and the promotion of mental health. The
centre will provide integrated guidance and information services as well as
training related to its programs.
    "Once again, the Mental Illness Foundation is proud to count on the
support of CIBC. For close to 10 years now, this great financial institution
has been extending its support to the Foundation as it works to prevent mental
illness. This gesture on the part of CIBC is a demonstration of its intent to
play a key role in the fight against mental illness and contribute to the
wellbeing of all Quebecers," stated Dr Martin Tremblay, Chair of the Board of
Directors of the Mental Illness Foundation.
    At any one time in Quebec, one out of every six people suffers from one
type of mental illness or another. Thanks to the support of corporations such
as CIBC, not only can the Foundation help with early detection of mental
illness but it can also inform and raise public awareness to ultimately reduce
human suffering and the resulting social and economic costs. The Mental
Illness Foundation applauds and thanks CIBC for its generous gift and its help
in advancing the cause of mental illness.
    Created in 1980, the Mental Illness Foundation's mission is to prevent
mental illness in order to reduce the suffering of those affected and their
loved ones by mobilizing individuals and society.

    About CIBC

    CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, our
employees and our communities. We aim to make a difference in our communities
through corporate donations and the volunteer spirit of our employees. With a
strategic focus on youth, education and health and employee support for causes
including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, the
CIBC World Markets Children's Foundation and the United Way, CIBC is investing
in the social and economic development of communities across the country. In
2008, the CIBC group of companies contributed more than $36 million globally
to charitable and nonprofit initiatives. Of this, more than $27 million was
invested in Canada to support national, regional and local organizations. To
find out more, go to www.cibc.com/pas.