Son’s tragic death spurs family foundation to tackle mental health

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As more Canadians face mental health crises, the work that family foundations do to strengthen awareness around mental illness and disorders is critical.

“Private philanthropy can support high-impact mental health research that might not otherwise receive funding,” says Dan O’Shaughnessy, founder of Toronto-based OSF Partners and director at CAMH Foundation Board, the fundraising arm of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

“Family foundations are creating opportunities for multigenerational philanthropy, fostering a tradition of giving so families can have impact now and well into the future. There is also the possibility of inspiring other families to follow their lead – we’ve seen many examples like that at CAMH, people inspiring their friends, networks, strangers to give and support mental health.”

As CAMH launches its $500 million campaign to support world-leading mental health research, family foundations also fund this important cause.

Here, Ian Boeckh, president and director at the Montreal-based Graham Boeckh Foundation, founded to honour son and brother Graham Boeckh, who died from complications related to schizophrenia, shares how the family works together to keep Graham’s memory alive, and to bring support to others who are facing mental health crises.

How did your family foundation come to be?

“The Graham Boeckh Foundation was created by Tony Boeckh, Tony’s wife, Ray Dana Boeckh, and family, over 30 years ago, and was named in honour of Tony’s son Graham. Graham developed schizophrenia in his late teens and subsequently died from complications due to being overmedicated. The health system failed Graham as it has countless others – poor access, misdiagnoses and improper care. That’s why the family is determined to improve how patients and families are treated.

… In 1968, Tony founded and built up a financial market research and publishing company called BCA Research with clients worldwide. Tony sold BCA Research in 2001, enabling the family to fund the foundation and focus its activities on addressing the issue of mental health.”

How have the philanthropic initiatives evolved?

“Around 10 years ago, the foundation embarked on an audacious goal: the transformation of Canada’s youth mental health-care systems. Since then, the foundation has co-created and co-funded several large-scale initiatives with Canadian governments to demonstrate, evaluate, and scale youth hubs across the country. These hubs provide a wide range of easily accessible services for mental health, substance use, and related issues.

This effort has blossomed into a broad pan-Canadian movement known as ‘integrated youth services,’ or IYS, and is available or under development in around 120 communities across the country, including many Indigenous communities. Notable IYS initiatives include Foundry BC, Huddle Manitoba, Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario, and Aire ouverte in Quebec. The foundation is currently working with all 13 provinces and territories to establish and foster IYS initiatives everywhere in the country.

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More recently, the foundation has co-created and co-funded a large-scale initiative with Canada’s national health research funder, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. This initiative, called IYS-Net, will create research networks in all of Canada’s provinces and territories to support data infrastructure, knowledge transfer, and innovation for IYS. IYS-Net will help to ensure that all youth in Canada can access effective and youth-friendly mental health and related services in their own communities.

The foundation has also provided leadership in advising other foundations in the mental health space and in fostering collaboration among foundations. Around 10 years ago, the foundation created the Mental Health and Wellness Affinity Group associated with Philanthropic Foundations Canada. Today, it is a thriving collaborative with over 30 members, including several major corporations and many large family foundations. A number of these foundations, including Bell, RBC, and Medavie, are helping to fund IYS initiatives across the country. In 2020, the foundation and Bell Let’s Talk created a $10 million partnership to help develop IYS across Canada.

The Graham Boeckh Foundation believes that international collaboration is important for sharing knowledge and maximizing impact. In 2009, the foundation created and has subsequently led a major collaborative of mental health research funders from around the world. This collaborative is known as the International Alliance of Mental Health Research Funders and includes many of the largest and most innovative mental health research funders, including organizations in the global south.”

How did the next generations get involved in the philanthropic ventures, and how were they prepared for that role?

“Currently, two generations of the family are involved in the foundation: Tony Boeckh and his two sons, Rob and myself. Rob and my involvement in the foundation has grown naturally through the years, starting with Tony’s efforts to include family members in conversations and decision making regarding the foundation. And, when the foundation needed a board of directors, Tony became board chair and invited Rob and me to become board members. Since 2015, I have been the president of the foundation and oversee six other full-time staff.”

Do you have any advice for other families preparing next generations for roles in the family’s philanthropy?

“Tony has encouraged the involvement of the next generation through an atmosphere of mutual respect, open communication and shared decision making. By living these values, the involvement of the next generation in the foundation has progressed naturally over many years. This involvement will enable the foundation to be sustained over the long run and motivate future generations to contribute to society.”

Do you have any stories about a memorable moment in your philanthropic initiatives?

“Some say that the moments we cherish the most in life are the moments spent with others, particularly close family and friends. Similarly, the foundation’s work in fostering relationships and bridging divides has been extremely rewarding and meaningful for the family. An example of this is the IYS movement, which has created a focal point for young people, family carers, researchers and service providers from across the country to work together in the service of youth mental health. The family is proud of its role in fostering these relationships and collaborations.”

Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.

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