Alumna Joanna Lavoie receives award from Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health
Joanna Lavoie accepting her award at the annual Champions of Mental Health Awards Ceremony on Oct. 6.
For Joanna Lavoie (external link) ‘02, receiving the 2025 Champions of Mental Health Award for Media (external link) from theCanadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (external link) (CAMIMH) was more than just a professional milestone. It was a recognition honouring over two decades of work as a journalist.
“I cried when they told me I had won. To have been recognized like this for my body of work, my approach to journalism, how I do things, the stories I tell, that was extremely meaningful for me,” Lavoie said.
Lavoie currently works as a digital journalist at CP24. Prior to that, she worked for the Torstar Corporation as a social justice reporter, where she covered breaking news, violence, racism, inequalities, the drug crisis, and homelessness.
The Champions of Mental Health Awards Ceremony (external link) took place on Oct. 6 in Ottawa.
“Each year, we highlight champions whose work is transforming services, challenging stigma, and bringing these issues to the forefront of the national conversation,” said Anthony Esposti (external link) , CAMIMH co-chair, in a (PDF file) press release (external link) .
When approaching sensitive stories, Lavoie’s goal is to take a “no harm approach” and provide comfort to those in the middle of their worst moments. It is important for Lavoie to give people the opportunity to share their story and have their voices heard.
Lavoie says she is able to do this by developing a relationship with her sources.
“I really try to make that effort to…listen to what they're saying, to understand, like, the bigger picture, the context, the language, to understand the stigmas they've faced,” she said.
Being able to change the conversation around sensitive and controversial issues is “one of the greatest rewards” for Lavoie.
“I aim to get people talking, to get people thinking about the things they say and the ideas that they have, just challenge people’s ideas,” she said.
Lavoie says receiving an award from an organization that aligns closely with her values encourages her to keep reporting on stories she believes are important.
“To be a part of that was just so incredible and uplifting for me as a journalist,” she said.
From left to right: Merle Massie, Dr. Shu-Ping Chen, Amanda Coombs, Michael Perry, Susan Hyde, Sen. Patrick Brazeau, and Joanna Lavoie, recipients of the annual Champions of Mental Health Awards, pose for a group photo.
According to Lavoie, the gala was very touching, as it gave all winners the opportunity to share stories and form memorable connections.
“Everybody who won had given a speech. I gave mine in French and English, so that was really cool because I was able to express my bilingualism,” she said. “Everybody had interesting stories about the organization…It was super inspiring for all of us and we became like a little crew.”