The VOICES benefit concert endeavours to de-stigmatize mental illness while raising funds for the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health. 

1 in 5 Canadians will develop a mental illness in their lifetime.  Not only do those living with a mental illness deal with the difficult and debilitating effects of their condition, they often feel shame, embarrassment, humiliation, isolation… simply because they have an illness.  The stigma surrounding mental illness can at times be as painful and distressing as the symptoms of mental illness and consequently inhibits those who are suffering from seeking treatment. 

The stigma needs to end.

VOICES brings together a selection of Ottawa’s finest singers and songwriters as they perform for guests in an intimate song circle while sharing stories of how mental illness has touched their lives.  The empowering effect of sharing our personal experiences with mental illness is immeasurable.  Couple this with the raw and honest music of Ottawa’s most talented singers and songwriters and you have VOICES…  Out of the dark.