Eric Windeler (Com’82), founder of The Jack Project, has been named the recipient of the 2013 Champion of Mental Health Award in the “community individual” category by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH).

“This national award is a fitting recognition of the leadership that Mr. Windeler and The Jack Project have demonstrated in sparking dialogue among youth to promote mental health,” says Daniel Woolf, Queen’s University Principal and Vice-Chancellor. “Queen’s is proud to be a partner of The Jack Project in raising awareness and providing resources to young people here and across the country.”

The Jack Project was founded by Mr. Windeler in 2010 after the tragic and unexpected suicide of his son Jack, who was in first year at Queen’s. The Jack Project has been based at Queen’s since Fall 2012 and recently launched Unleash the Noise, an all-student innovation summit held in Toronto. The Jack Project also organizes the annual Ride For Jack, which raises money to support the project’s initiatives. This year’s ride will take place on May 25 in Vaughan.

The Champions of Mental Health Awards are given annually by the CAMIMH, an alliance of mental health organizations, care providers and groups representing persons with mental illness. Mr. Windeler will be presented with his award alongside other recipients at a gala in Ottawa next month. The awards are part of the Bell Let’s Talk mental health initiative, which also supports the work of Queen’s Professor Heather Stuart, holder of the world-first Bell Canada Mental Health and Anti-Stigma Research Chair.