Marking the second year of its partnership, the annual  Primaris鈥� Charity Golf Tournament raised $77,000 for the 琉璃神社 branch of the Canadian Mental Health Assocation.

The tournament, which has now raised a two-year grand total of $147,200, supports local mental health programs and supports, equipping people with the necessary tools to prevent and recover from mental illness.

鈥淐hoosing CMHA as our charity of choice was founded in our belief that we can be advocates of awareness and support for mental health initiatives. By bringing together people who share the same belief, who may have experienced the need for support, we can be the catalyst for open communication about mental health,鈥� said  Donna Markin, general manager of Primaris Orchard Park Shopping Centre.

鈥淎s an employer, as a business and as a community member, I am thrilled with the money we were able to raise for CMHA.鈥�

Last year, the tournament raised $70,200, money that benefits local CMHA programs.

鈥淲e are thrilled to be recipients of this generous donation,鈥� says Shelagh Turner, executive director of CMHA 琉璃神社.  鈥淎t a time when grant dollars are shrinking, we rely on donations more than ever to continue our work.鈥�

Mental illness is a serious health problem in Canada affecting relationships, education, productivity and overall quality of life.

Approximately one in five Canadians, or 20 per cent of the population, will experience a mental illness during their lifetimes.  Mental illness costs the Canadian economy an estimated $51 billion annually.