Advocacy plays an important role in advancing mental health and wellness for children, youth and families.
One of CASA’s leading physicians is also a strong advocate in advancing the understanding of child and youth mental health, and doing so with compassion, courage and a commitment to sharing his expertise while learning from others.
Dr. Andrew Bremness was recently honoured at CASA’s Annual General Meeting as the recipient of a new CASA Mental Health award – the Advocacy Award.
At its heart, this award recognizes those who have the courage to stand for others, the compassion to create connection, and the vision to help illuminate a path toward hope, healing and better mental health for children, youth and families.
“As we considered what this award should represent — advocacy, compassion, courage, connection and a commitment to creating a better path for children, youth and families — it was fitting that its inaugural recipient should be someone whose career has embodied those qualities for decades,” said CASA CEO Bonnie Blakley.
The Inukshuk was chosen as the symbol of CASA’s Mental Health Advocacy Award. Traditionally created to mark the way and offer guidance to those who follow, the Inukshuk has become an enduring symbol of guidance, strength and connection. It reminds us that no journey is travelled alone — that we depend upon one another, and that through our relationships with one another, we can help make the path clearer for those who come after us.
Photo credit: Carrie Avveduti, Director (Clinical), Inclusivity and Indigenous Initiatives
For more than 40 years, Dr. Bremness has dedicated his professional life to supporting the mental health and well-being of children, youth and families, with more than 30 of those years at CASA Mental Health.
Dr. Bremness helped advance awareness and understanding of children and youth mental health among clinicians, colleagues and the broader community. He championed compassionate and responsive care for children and families, and used his expertise and leadership to strengthen programs and services.
As an appointed Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Division of Child Psychiatry at the University of Alberta, a respected speaker and educator, and the author of Healing the Traumatized Child, he has helped build understanding of childhood mental health and trauma while equipping others to better support children, youth and families.
Dr. Bremness officially retired in early October. His accomplishments were celebrated at a recent event at CASA Centre, where CASA Knowledge Keepers Frank Shannon and Theresa Cardinal presented him with a star blanket. The blanket ceremony celebrates different life milestones, and CASA’s Indigenous Services team chose the star blanket to honour Dr. Bremness and the many contributions he has shared with CASA.
