For more than 25 years, Dr. John Gray has played an essential role in BCSS’ work towards a province where those living with schizophrenia receive excellent treatment and services.

Using his extensive experience with the BC Mental Health Act, John often uses the Guide to the Mental Health Act to help families learn about the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act Bulletin—gaining crucial information on how they can support their family member. Today, John continues to work to tirelessly to ensure that people living with psychotic disorders are not abandoned. And in the face of challenges to the Mental Health Act, John continues fighting to help people receive the care and treatment they need.

John’s work in relation to mental health law hasn’t been confined to BC. He has also worked in provinces across the country to help improve their mental health legislation, and is the principle author of Canadian Mental Health Law and Policy—the most reliable single source reference for mental health law and policies across Canada. John is a renowned and generous expert in our midst.

In recent years, John’s contributions have expanded beyond mental health law into new areas. In 2017, he co-chaired a committee to create Canada’s first conference on cognitive remediation. This led to a sold-out conference in Vancouver featuring presentations not only by local experts, but also the leading Canadian researcher and the leading international expert from Columbia University. John continues to be involved in plans to offer Canada’s first training in cognitive remediation this fall.

In the last couple years, John created an ongoing collaborative committee between the BCSS and the BC Psychiatric Association (BCPA). Together, BCSS and BCPA authored “Inadequate Access to Acute Psychiatric Beds in British Columbia: Is Anybody Listening?”, a report that compiles people’s experiences in accessing acute psychiatric beds and recommendations for improvement.

Dr. John Gray has and continues to make an enormous contribution towards improving the lives of people living with serious mental illnesses and their families.

Thank you, John, for being our champion!

A few words from Dr. Gray on receiving the Champion Award:

Dear Dave, BCSS Board Members (past and present), and all who share the mission of BCSS:

When I was awarded the BCSS Champion Award, I felt like I had just received an Oscar from the Academy.

However, unlike some actors in the Academy, it has taken me 25 years to achieve this high honour. But that makes it even more special.

I have a very long list of people to thank, without whom I would not have received this award. The first goes back to 1959. As a student and nurse aid at a large Riverview-like hospital in New Zealand, I met a young man with schizophrenia. We often spoke for hours, and through him, I learned about the pain that people with this illness can go through. Thus sparking my enduring interest in schizophrenia and advocating for excellent treatment for people living with schizophrenia and their families.

Here, I want to thank all the BCSS board members and staff I have worked with over the years to advance the cause of helping families help their loved ones.

In particular, our Board President, Dave, the current BCSS Board of Directors, and the Policy Committee deserve meritorious mention. Fred Dawe, a member of both, and I had the privilege of serving as President of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada. Thanks, Fred.

The scriptwriter and editing award is shared this year between Susan Inman and Jane Duval. Susan’s extensive writing and experience as a teacher, along with the writing and editing expertise of Jane, BCSS’ former executive director (gained through working with the CBC and BCSS) were critical to improving my drafts.

I would also like to recognize the great resource we have in the BCSS Medical Advisory Board. Here, I thank Dr. Randall White—especially for his presentation on COVID-19 at our recent Annual General Meeting, and for being a champion for cognitive remediation.

Finally, I would like to thank Faydra Aldridge and the staff throughout the province for their skill and dedication, which are all important for advancing our cause and me receiving this important award.

Thank you so much.