Chris Summerville

Chris Summerville is one of the eleven non-government directors of the Mental Health Commission of Canada appointed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. As a family member and a recipient of psychiatric services, Chris has been the executive director of the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society since 1995 and currently is also the CEO of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada. As a provincial and national leader and advocate he serves on numerous boards and committees including The Mood Disorders Society of Canada, The National Network on Mental Health, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health, and several ethics committees. With an earned doctorate, he is certified with the International Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services as a Certified Psychosocial Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) and as an ASIST Suicide Intervention Trainer with Living Works. He lives in Steinbach, Manitoba. He sees mental illness as not only a health issue, but also a social justice issue.