The Mood Disorders Society of Canada partners actively with the media to ensure accurate and comprehensive reporting of matters that are of interest to consumers, families and caregivers. Our organization believes that the media has a powerful role to play in ensuring that the consumer and family voice is heard.

The Mood Disorders Society of Canada has evolved to become one of Canada’s best-connected mental health NGOs with a demonstrated track record for forging and maintaining meaningful and sustained partnerships with the public, private and non-profit sectors throughout Canada.

The organization invites media inquiries and coverage of consumer perspectives. The point of contact is Phil Upshall, National Executive Director:

Mood Disorders Society of Canada
3-304 Stone Road West, Suite 736;
Guelph, ON   N1G 4W4
Tel:  519-824-5565 Fax. 519-824-9569
E-Mail: info@mooddisorderscanada.ca

Phil Upshall’s Bio

Phil Upshall is the National Executive Director of Mood Disorders Society of Canada. He is also:

• Stakeholder Relations Advisor for the Mental Health Commission of Canada,
• Immediate past National Executive Director of the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH),
• Past managing Director of Mental Illness Awareness Week in Canada,
• On national board positions with the Canada Post Foundation on Mental Illness and Mental Health; Advisory Board to the Canada Research Chair - National Core for Neuroethics at the University of British Columbia,
• Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University,
• Past member of the Institute Advisory Board of the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction,
• Member of expert mental health panels for Stats Canada, Health Canada, CIHI, and others. 

Education: Commerce degree from Dalhousie University and a law degree from the University of Toronto. He was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1969.

Dave Gallson's Bio

Dave Gallson is the Associate National Executive Director of Mood Disorders Society of Canada. He also:

• Is Co-Chair of the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health,
• Is a member of the Canadian Psychological Association Task Force on Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments,
• Is a Certified Association Executive,
• In 2002 founded a highly successful seven week skills development program for persons with mental health issues/ disabilities. This initiative, originally started with dedicated participant volunteers who worked tirelessly to raise funds for the project, resulted in significant achievements for the persons enrolled in the program. The program was guided by and responsible to the participants.
• In 2003 moved the program, now highly successful, to the National Network for Mental Health (NNMH). The program was then renamed BUILT Network and Dave continued his leadership of it, including applying for and receiving trademark and copyright for the NNMH, and leading significant project expansion for the next seven years.  By that time, the BUILT Network assisted over 1,000 Canadians dealing with disabling mental illnesses to return to work or school after successfully completing the program.
• Has a strong interest and knowledge base in consumer/patient advocacy and has close working relationships at the Federal level with Health Canada, HRSDC, Office for Disabilities Issues, CSC,  Public Safety and other Federal departments,
• Has worked on the development of the Mental Health Commission of Canada website, where his design consultation and leadership of the initial programming team assured the success of the project.
• Dave is well known in the mental health community, having developed a wide government and stakeholder network through his reputation of leadership through caring. Dave is engaged nationally on many committees and panels where he speaks from both a professional and personal experience. Some of his involvement includes:
  • Consumer Peer Research Network Project Committee; Mental Health Commission of Canada,
  • Steering Committee Member; Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation,
  • Committee Member; Episodic Disabilities Network,
  • EDN Policy Working Group Member,
  • Past Chair, Canadian Coalition of Alternative Mental Health Resources,
  • Past Director; Communications Committee; CCAMHR,
  • Past Member; Knowledge Exchange Initial Steering Committee; Mental Health Commission of Canada,
  • Past Director; Local Training and Adjustment Board; Nipissing, Muskoka and Parry Sound,
  • Past Ex-Officio; BUILT Network; Provincial Board of Directors.

Dave is married to his wife Lucy and they enjoy immensely the lives of their children and grandchildren.

New Releases 

Ride Above Depression: MDSC Sponsors Cycle Trip to Promote Awareness, May 12, 2011 (English)

MDSC Fundraising Position Statement (response to CBC Report on Canadian Charities Fundraising Methods), July 11, 2011 (English)

MDSC Launches Aeroplan Charitable Pooling Program, July 1, 2010
(News release English)

Newest Version of our Bipolar Disorder Brochure, January 2009
(PDF English / French)

Mental Health Concerns on the Minds of Canadians, May 1, 2008
(PDF English)

Federal Budget Reduces Stigma of Mental Illness, March 19, 2007
(PDF English / French)

They got it right! Mood Disorders Society of Canada Commends the Recommendations from the Senate Report on Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction, May 9, 2006
(PDF English)

Background Information on Mood Disorders 

Quick Facts on Mental Illness and Addictions in Canada, 3rd Edition (November 2009) is an expanded version of the hugely popular second edition. It brings together, in a comprehensive, evidence-based document, important statistics relating not only to mental illnesses and addictions as they impact individuals and their families but also as they impact the healthcare system, the workplace, and the economy in general. It also provides an understanding of the relationship between mental illnesses, addictions, and physical illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.  Read more... (PDF English // French)

Quick Facts (November 2009). This plain text version of the 3rd edition of Quick Facts contains all citations for the facts in the published edition - as described above.  For researchers, students - or for those who wish to access the resources for themselves and learn more about mental illness and addictions. Read more...(PDF English)

Read November E-News