September 18, 2013 – The Muslim community rallied alongside Farida Bano Ali – a retired psychiatric nurse and community advocate – to raise awareness, hope and funding for people suffering with mental illness. Farida was so inspired after hearing CKNW host Jon McComb go public with his personal story about mental illness, that she encouraged the BC Muslim Association (BCMA) to host an educational fundraising dinner in support of the new mental health centre at Vancouver General Hospital. As Director of Social Services of Women’s Affairs, Farida collaborated with her husband, David Ali, VP Public relations and Communications, and BCMA’s Shawkat Hasan, VP Social Services.

The event – a first initiative of its kind in partnership with VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation – was held on September 14 at Masjid Al-Salaam in Burnaby and met with tremendous enthusiasm by members of BC’s Muslim Community, known for its compassion and generosity. In total, there were 150 guests, including Senator Mobina Jaffer, Burnaby-New Westminster MP Peter Julian, and representatives from the City of Burnaby, Burnaby library, Canadian Pakistani Women’s Society, SFU Centre for the Study of Gender Social Inequalities & Mental Health, Dominion Law Firm and the BC Muslim Association Executive along with Branch Directors and members.

The evening raised an impressive $40,000 for the new Joseph & Rosalie Segal Family Health Centre, which will replace the current 70-year-old structure – providing a more positive, hopeful and healing environment for thousands of patients across BC.

Farida is no stranger to difficult subjects, and has organized other successful events including empowering women and domestic abuse. She has seen firsthand how mental illness has impacted and destroyed families. “The stigma still exists,” she says, “Mental illness is prevalent across society and cultures. It has no boundaries and touches us all, irrespective of race, colour or creed.”

The evening was full of lively discussion and engaging presentations, including key speaker and Outreach Psychiatric Nurse/Social Worker Mohamed Ibrahim, a PhD Candidate, who spoke about his research on mental health practices in the Canadian Muslim community. A team of psychiatric health care experts was also there to provide insight into the impact of mental illness in the ethnic community, as well as Jon McComb and members from the Muslim community who shared their own personal stories of struggle.

“Mental illness is more common than cardiovascular disease, affecting a staggering one in five Canadians at some point in their lives,” says Barbara Grantham, CEO and President, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. “Whether it afflicts us personally, or those we love and care for, the impact on families, workplaces and communities, can be devastating. We are very grateful to the BCMA for opening their doors and hearts to us and for helping this often unspoken cause.”

“This event was a historic one in the Muslim community,” says David Ali, VP Public Relations & Communications, BCMA, “and we will seek to host similar awareness and fundraising events for the new mental health centre at VGH. We are also urging other ethnic communities to join hands in this noble cause to make mental health matter.”

Media Contacts

BC Muslim Association
David Ali
Vice President, Public Relations and Communications
604 525 7194

About the BC Muslim Association
The BC Muslim Association, the largest religious organization in Canada representing Sunni Muslims, was incorporated on November 17th 1966. The Association comprises of Branches and Chapters located in British Columbia which provides services in the areas of Religion, Education, Charities for local and international disasters , Funerals Services; Social Services along with Youth and Sports Services.

For more information visit BC Muslim Association or call 604 270 2522

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
Selena McLachlan
Director, Marketing & Communications
778 989 6085

About VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation partners with donors to provide the funds essential to ensuring that our hospitals and health care teams can deliver BC’s best, most specialized care for adults. The Foundation raises funds for Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital, and GF Strong Rehab Centre (the province’s major adult health referral centres), Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, and Community Health Services.Last year the Foundation raised over $61 million to ensure excellence in health care for people across BC.

More support is needed, please donate.