TORONTO, Feb. 19 /CNW/ - CIBC (CM: TSX;NYSE) - CIBC today announced a
donation of $1 million to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH),
Canada's leading addiction and mental health teaching hospital. The donation,
to be paid over 10 years, will support CAMH's Transforming Lives capital
campaign, which will bring to life CAMH's visionary redevelopment and a new
model of client care.
    "With one in four Canadians being affected by mental illness or
addiction, often young Canadians aged 15 to 24, it is clear that this is an
important issue in our society," said Christina Kramer, CIBC Executive
Vice-President, Retail Markets. "Unfortunately, these illnesses still have a
social stigma, often preventing people from openly seeking treatment."
Vulnerable youth with mental illness and addiction problems for whom no
inpatient services currently exist in Toronto will be better served once the
redevelopment of CAMH's Queen Street facilities are complete.
    "As CIBC has a strategic focus on youth, we were drawn to CAMH because of
the innovative and effective programming they offer to children and young
people," added Ms. Kramer.
    CAMH's Youth Addiction Services REACH Day Treatment program is just one
example. The program assists youth, their families and service providers with
innovative ways to recover from addiction, and works with the Toronto District
School Board to provide a comprehensive academic curriculum that balances
education with recovery.
    "We thank CIBC for the vision and leadership they have shown in
supporting CAMH," said Dr. Paul Garfinkel, CAMH's President and CEO. "Their
gift will help enhance the delivery of programming that we offer to youth.
CIBC's gift will play an important role in transforming our facilities at our
Queen Street site and the way the world views and treats mental illness and
addiction."
    CAMH is Canada's leading addiction and mental health teaching hospital.
CAMH succeeds in transforming the lives of people affected by addiction and
mental illness by applying the latest in scientific advances through
integrated and compassionate clinical practice, health promotion, education
and research. To learn more about the work of the CAMH Foundation, visit
www.supportcamh.ca.

    CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, our
employees and our communities. We aim to make a difference in communities
through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of
employees. With a strategic focus on youth, education and health, and employee
commitment to causes including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run
for the Cure, United Way and the CIBC World Markets Children's Miracle
Foundation, we are investing in the social and economic development of
communities across the country. In 2007, CIBC group of companies contributed
more than $36 million worldwide to charitable organizations and community
initiatives. Of this, $27 million was invested in Canada to support national,
regional and local organizations. To learn more, visit www.cibc.com/pas