The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre has launched a $25 million fundraising campaign that will take place over the next five years.
The goal of the campaign is to create a society where mental health issues are no longer stigmatized.
About one in five have a mental illness. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teems in Canada.
The campaign was launched Tuesday morning at a breakfast where a 15-year-old boy who attempted suicide was the keynote speaker.
"I felt the only way out was to take my own life and I tried," said Sam Fisher. "Luckily, I failed."
Fisher swallowed 57 tylenols last January before being transported to CHEO. He had depression for several years prior to the incident.
"I was struggling with depression," he said. "No matter how good things were, I was seeing the bad side."
Fisher's uncle died by suicide. His death and Fisher's attempted suicide prompted the family to participate in the campaign to raise awareness of mental illness.
Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson will be at the helm of the campaign with CTV Ottawa anchor Graham Richardson serving as his co-chair
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Kate Eggins
