Sandy Naiman

Topics

Presentations

'Coming Out Crazy," her autobiographical and inspirational keynote
Learn more about Sandy's life and her workplace experiences

Mental illnesses in the workplace, what employers can do:
Language is an instrument for change to heal the sick public discourse on mental illnesses and mental health.

What do I say?
Returning to work after time off to recover from an episode of a mental illness.

Dispelling the prejudice, discrimination, bias and stereotyping of mental illnesses and the people who live with them
The best way to help people seek appropriate treatment on the job and off.

Why should there be a difference between the way people view mental versus physical illnesses.
Talking turkey about the real issues.

Summary Profile

Sandy Naiman, an award-winning journalist, was a staff reporter, feature writer and columnist at The Toronto Sun, for 30 years. A high-profile radio personality, she served as Women's Editor on CHFI and a nationally syndicated columnist on CBC, as well as a frequent contributor to numerous magazines. Now, a full-time freelance writer, public speaker, mental health advocate and teacher, she continues to guest on radio, television and at conferences.

Behind the public persona, Sandy has always been candid about the serious mental illness she's lived with since adolescence.In 1998, after receiving the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health's "Celebrity" Courage to Come Back Award, she decided to write and speak out publicly about her recurrent episodes of mania, sensing correctly that her story might inspire others and help to dispel the discrimination, prejudice, bias and stereotyping too often ascribed to mental illnesses and needlessly hurting those who live with them.

A passionate, outspoken and engaging mental health advocate, Sandy is a dedicated spokesperson for the Mental Health Works program and has been a member of Moods magazine's honourary advisory council since its inception. In 2007, the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario honoured her with its Deloitte Hero Award for her activism and advocacy. Currently Sandy sits on the Advisory Board at CMHA Ontario developing a web site designed to assist the media in reporting accurately and responsibly on mental health and mental illnesses.

Client Testimonial

"Sandy Naiman is fierce and fabulous. With a background in print journalism, her blog "Coming Out Crazy" was new to the net last year and it's been fun to see her adapt to the medium - and vice-versa. Some of the perennial trolls have been buzzing around her blog, smelling fresh blood, but she deftly slaps them down with precise words soaked in reality and wisdom. Sandy is a dynamo who is an offline mental health advocate and speaker. In Coming Out Crazy, she's making gorgeous jewellery from her goldmine of experience as a person living with bipolar."

PychCentral