Latest News & Media

Latest News & Media

November 29, 2024

November 4, 2024

October 22, 2024

  • Miss 604 – Nominations open for the 2025 Courage To Come Back Awards

October 16, 2024

October 15, 2024

August 20, 2024

July 11, 2024

July 8, 2024

June 17, 2024

  • Times Colonist – Victoria resident receives Courage To Come Back Award

June 5, 2024

  • New Westminster Record – New West born father’s courageous comeback from addiction and tragedy recognized with award

May 28, 2024

  • Tricity News – Coquitlam father’s courageous comeback from addiction and tragedy recognized with award

May 26, 2024

  • Burnaby Now – Resilient Burnaby resident recognized at 2024 Courage to Come Back Awards

May 24, 2024

  • Victoria News – Victoria woman changing the stigma around Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Today In BC – Victoria woman changing the stigma around Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Vernon Morning Star – Vernon woman who overcame disability awarded for anti-bullying work

May 23, 2024

  • Miss604 – Vancouver to Light Up For The Courage To Come Back Awards
  • City News Vancouver – Courage To Come Back: Medical award recipient says lives like hers are worth living
  • CityNews 1130 – Courage To Come Back: Interview with Medical Recipient Monica Gartner

May 22, 2024

  • City News Vancouver – Courage To Come Back: Physical Rehabilitation award recipient was knocked down but keeps on punching
  • Global News – Courage to Come Back 2024: Baylie McKnight advocates against mental illness stigma
  • CityNews 1130 – Courage To Come Back: Interview with Physical Rehabilitation Recipient Leo Sammarelli

May 21, 2024

  • Global News – Courage To Come Back 2024: Monica Gartner doesn’t let her disability define her
  • City News Vancouver – Courage To Come Back: Once bullied by her teachers, Youth award recipient now works to bring inclusion into the classroom
  • CityNews 1130 – Courage To Come Back: Interview with Youth Recipient Samantha Sewell

May 20, 2024

  • CityNews 1130 – Courage To Come Back: Interview with Addiction Recipient Kevin Parker
  • City News Vancouver – Courage To Come Back: Addiction award recipient overcame racism, bullying, substance use to lead by example

May 19, 2024

  • Global News – Courage to Come Back 2024: Kevin Parker provides hope through harm reduction and outreach work

May 18, 2024

  • Castanet

    Vernon’s Samantha Sewell recipient of the Courage to Come Back Award

May 17, 2024

  • CityNews 1130 – Courage To Come Back: Interview with Mental Health Recipient Baylie McKnight
  • Global News – Courage To Come Back 2024:

    Samantha Sewell uses her words to spark change

  • CityNews 1130 – Courage To Come Back: Mental Health award recipient is a trailblazer for others with borderline personality disorder

February 24, 2024

February 20, 2024

  • Miss 604 – Courage To Come Back Awards 2024

November 16, 2023

  • Global News – 2024 Courage To Come Back Award nominations are open

October 28, 2023

October 27, 2023

October 25, 2023

  • CityNews 1130 – 2024 Courage To Come Back Awards NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN
  • Miss604 – Nominations for the 2024 Courage To Come Back Awards

August 24, 2023

  • Surrey Now Leader – Surrey women has ‘courage to come back’ following family struggles
  • North Delta Reporter – Surrey women has ‘courage to come back’ following family struggles
  • Peace Arch News – Surrey woman has ‘courage to come back’ following family struggles – 

June 23, 2023

June 20, 2023

  • ReThreading Madness Radio – “I am a Transwomen” – Jodi Gray, winner of the 2023 Courage To Come Back Award in Mental Health

June 16, 2023

  • CityNews 1130 – Courage To Come Back youth award recipient mentors others, dreams of being an artist
  • CityNews 1130 – Courage To Come Back: Interview with Youth Recipient Danielle Laviolette

June 15, 2023

  • CityNews 1130 – Courage To Come Back: Interview with Mental Health Recipient Jodi Gray
  • CityNews 1130 –  Mental Health Recipient wants to show trans people there is hope
  • Yahoo! Life – Nelson’s Pat Henman receives Courage To Come Back Award
  • Boundary Creek Times – Committed to Change – Pat Henman Received Courage To Come Back Award
  • The Golden Star – She’s Not Going to Stop – Pat Henman
  • Nelson Star – Committed to Change – Pat Henman Received Courage To Come Back Award
  • Grand Forks Gazette – Committed to Change – Pat Henman Received Courage To Come Back Award
  • Castlegar News – Committed to Change – Pat Henman Received Courage To Come Back Award
  • Trail Times – Committed to Change – Pat Henman Received Courage To Come Back Award
  • Arrow Lake News – Committed to Change – Pat Henman Received Courage To Come Back Award
  • Rossland News – Committed to Change – Pat Henman Received Courage To Come Back Award
  • Cranbrook Townsman – Committed to Change – Pat Henman Received Courage To Come Back Award
  • Kimberly Bulletin – Committed to Change – Pat Henman Received Courage To Come Back Award
  • The Free Press – Committed to Change – Pat Henman Received Courage To Come Back Award
  • Church For Vancouver – Around Town – John Oakley

June 14, 2023

  • CityNews 1130 – Courage To Come Back physical rehabilitation award recipient fights for other victims of crime
  • CityNews 1130 – Courage To Come Back: Interview with Physical Rehabilitation Recipient Pat Henman

June 13, 2023

  • CityNews 1130 – Courage To Come Back: Interview with Medical Recipient Rachel Goldman
  • Miss 604 – Courage To Come Back Awards Raise $2.7 Million for Mental Health Services
  • CityNews 1130 – Courage To Come Back medical award recipient perseveres through life of chronic illness
  • The Nelson Daily – Nelson’s Pat Henman receives Courage To Come Back Award
  • CityNews 1130 – Sitting down with the 2023 Courage To Come Back winners

June 12, 2023

  • CityNews1130 – B.C. Courage To Come Back addictions award recipient says God told him to quit drugs
  • Global News – Courage To Come Back Awards: Honouring British Coloumbian’s who overcome adversity
  • CityNews1130 – Courage To Come Back: Interview with Addiction Recipient John Oakley

June 10, 2023

June 9, 2023

  • CityNews1130 – Courage To Come Back Awards – Interview with Lorne Segal
  • CityNews1130 – Courage To Come Back Awards return in-person Friday for first time since 2019

June 2, 2023

  • CityNews1130 – Vancouver to light up for 25th Anniversary Courage To Come Back Awards

May 19, 2023

March 21, 2023

  • Miss604 – 25th Anniversary Courage To Come Back Awards

November 29, 2022

  • Miss604 – Courage To Come Back Awards 2023 Nominations Open

June 22, 2022

  • Burnaby Now – Pain at the hands of her counsellor: A Burnaby woman’s story of surviving authoritative abuse.

June 7, 2022

  • The Squamish Chief – Two Decades of Resilience – Kristen McBride is being honoured with the Courage to Come Back Award.

June 4, 2022

May 26, 2022

May 20, 2022

  • CityNews 1130 – Courage to Come Back: Interview with Medical recipient Chloe Angus.
  • Times Colonist – ‘Recovery can happen’, says lifelong advocate for addictions support.

May 19, 2022

  • CityNews 1130 – Courage to Come Back: Interview with Mental Health recipient Bernadine Fox.

May 18, 2022

  • CityNews 1130 – Courage to Come Back: Interview with Youth recipient Casey Wright.
  • North Shore News – ‘Recovery can happen’, says lifelong advocate for addictions support.
  • Vancouver Is Awesome – ‘Recovery can happen’, says lifelong advocate for addictions support.
  • Coast Reporter – ‘Recovery can happen’, says lifelong advocate for addictions support.
  • Pique News Magazine – ‘Recovery can happen’, says lifelong advocate for addictions support.
  • Delta Optimist – ‘Recovery can happen’, says lifelong advocate for addictions support.
  • Burnaby Now – ‘Recovery can happen’, says lifelong advocate for addictions support.
  • The Squamish Chief – ‘Recovery can happen’, says lifelong advocate for addictions support.
  • Richmond News – ‘Recovery can happen’, says lifelong advocate for addictions support.
  • Tricity News – ‘Recovery can happen’, says lifelong advocate for addictions support.
  • New Westminster Record – ‘Recovery can happen’, says lifelong advocate for addictions support.
  • PR Peak – ‘Recovery can happen’, says lifelong advocate for addictions support.
  • Prince George Citizen – ‘Recovery can happen’, says lifelong advocate for addictions support.

May 17, 2022

  • CityNews 1130 – Courage to Come Back: Interview with Addiction recipient Dr. Barney Williams.

May 16, 2022

  • Welland Tribune – ‘Recovery can happen’, says lifelong advocate for addictions support.
  • The Standard – ‘Recovery can happen’, says lifelong advocate for addictions support.
  • Toronto Star – ‘Recovery can happen’, says lifelong advocate for addictions support.
  • Global News – Courage to Come Back: Honouring individuals who have overcome adversity.
  • CityNews 1130 – Courage to Come Back: Interview with Medical recipient Chloë Angus.
  • CityNews Vancouver – Courage To Come Back: Medical award recipient wouldn’t take no for an answer.

May 15, 2022

  • North Shore News – The future is here: B.C. woman honoured for exoskeleton advocacy.
  • Vancouver Is Awesome – The future is here: B.C. woman honoured for exoskeleton advocacy.
  • Coast Reporter – The future is here: B.C. woman honoured for exoskeleton advocacy.
  • Mission City Record – Mission actor, childhood cancer survivor honoured for philanthropic work with sick children.

May 14, 2022

May 13, 2022

  • Global News – Courage To Come Back Awards return for 2022.

December 1, 2021

  • Global News – Courage To Come Back: The 2020 Recipient in the Addictions category, Amanda Staller, shares her inspiring story.

September 23, 2021

  • News 1130 – Courage To Come Back: Nominations Now Open through January 7th

September 23, 2021

  • Jack 96.9 – Courage To Come Back: Nominations Now Open through January 7th

September 23, 2021

  • KiSS RADiO – Courage To Come Back: Nominations Now Open through January 7th

July 1, 2021

  • Vancouver Is Awesome – Miranda Tymoschuk is dedicated to being of service to others by creating connection in her communities

June 24, 2021

  • Vancouver Is Awesome – Lester Wong’s perseverance after severe burn injury takes flight in the community and in the skies

June 18, 2021

  • Vancouver Is Awesome – Alex Sangha uplifts and empowers people of all identities through social activism and storytelling

June 10, 2021

  • Vancouver Is Awesome – Greg Anctil faces chronic health issues and medical illnesses with incredible positivity and perseverance

June 3, 2021

  • Vancouver Is Awesome – Guy Felicella advocates for harm reduction and recovery in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside community

June 8, 2021

  • News 1130 – Courage to Come Back: Interview with Addiction recipient Guy Felicella

June 8, 2021

  • News 1130 – Courage to Come Back: Interview with Physical Rehabilitation recipient Lester Wong

June 8, 2021

  • News 1130 – Courage to Come Back: Interview with Mental Health recipient Alex Sangha

June 8, 2021

  • News 1130 – Courage to Come Back: Interview with Medical recipient Greg Anctil

June 8, 2021

  • News 1130 – Courage to Come Back: Interview with Youth recipient Miranda Tymoschuk

June 4, 2021

  • News 1130 – Courage to Come Back: Youth recipient wants to make a difference at home and abroad

June 4, 2021

  • BC Local News – Maple Ridge women wins Courage to Come Back Award

June 4, 2021

June 3, 2021

  • Vancouver Is Awesome – Guy Felicella advocates for harm reduction and recovery in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside community

June 2, 2021

  • News1130 – Courage to Come Back: Medical award recipient survived multiple near-death experiences

June 1, 2021

June 1, 2021

  • News1130 – Courage to Come Back: Physical Rehabilitation award recipient gives others wings

May 31, 2021

  • News1130 – Courage to Come Back: Addiction award recipient would have nothing if he couldn’t give back

May 28, 2021

May 5, 2021

  • KiSS RADiO – The Courage to Come Back Awards Show Livestream

May 4, 2021

  • Sportsnet – Coast Mental Health’s Courage to Come Back Awards 2021

July 30, 2020

  • Tri City News – Coquitlam teen who overcame the odds recognized with Courage to Come Back award

July 30, 2020

  • Global BC – Courage to Come Back Award Recipient Mariam Nassri
  • News1130 – Courage to Come Back: Medical award recipient taps into inner strength she didn’t know she had
  • Vancouver Is Awesome – Mariam Nassri is taking a stand as a voice for the voiceless through her creativity and courage

July 27, 2020

  • The Georgia Straight – Italian Day on the Drive Society helps Coast Mental Health share inspiring tales of courage in troubled times

July 24, 2020

  • Jewish Independent – Corey Hirsch is among the honorees of this year’s Courage to Come Back Awards

July 23, 2020

  • Vancouver Is Awesome – Coquitlam teen Andrew Teel is an example of the power of love and hope in changing one’s destiny
  • News1130 – Interview with Courage to Come Back Youth recipient Andrew Teel
  • News1130 – Courage To Come Back: Youth recipient pushes for more transparency in foster care system
  • Global BC – Courage to Come Back Award recipient Andrew Teel

July 20, 2020

July 18, 2020

July 16, 2020

  • Vancouver Is Awesome – Rumana Monzur overcame profound obstacles to fulfill her commitment towards fighting for justice
  • Global BC – Courage to Come Back Recipient Rumana Monzur
  • News1130 – Courage To Come Back: Physical Rehabilitation recipient survives spousal abuse, advocates victims

July 14, 2020

  • CFJC Today – After decades of addiction struggles, former Kamloops women recognized for helping others beat alcohol and drug abuse

July 9, 2020

  • Vancouver Is Awesome – In sharing her truth, Amanda Staller is following her calling for helping others in treatment and recovery
  • News1130 – Courage to Come Back: Recipient of Addiction award went from a life of crime to a life of service
  • Global BC – Courage to Come Back Award Recipient Amanda Staller

July 3, 2020

  • CityNews – Hirsch receives Courage to Come Back Award

July 2, 2020

  • Sportsnet 650: The Scott Rintoul Show –  Corey Hirsch discusses being the recipient for the Courage to Come Back Award
  • Global BC – 2020 Courage to Come Back Awards: Corey Hirsch
  • News1130 – Interview with Mental Health recipient, Corey Hirsch
  • News1130 – Courage to Come Back: Mental Health recipient ‘stickhandles’ through stigma
  • Sportsnet 650 – Courage to Come Back Month
  • Vancouver Is Awesome – Corey Hirsch advocates for mental health awareness by sharing his personal struggles to shatter stigmas
  • Georgia Straight – Mental-health advocate and former NHL goalie Corey Hirsch wins Courage to Come Back Award

June 27, 2020

June 23, 2020

  • Sooke News Mirror – Courage to Come Back campaign shares five stories of mental health resilience

June 23, 2020

  • Saanich News – Courage to Come Back campaign shares five stories of mental health resilience

June 23, 2020

  • Gold Stream Gazette – Courage to Come Back campaign shares five stories of mental health resilience

June 23, 2020

June 23, 2020

  • Oak Bay News – Courage to Come Back campaign shares five stories of mental health resilience

June 23, 2020

  • Victoria News – Courage to Come Back campaign shares five stories of mental health resilience

January 23, 2020

  • Global BC – 22nd Courage To Come Back Tickets

December 13, 2019

  • Global BC – 22nd Courage to Come Back Nominations PSA

December 12, 2019

November 21, 2019

  • Global News – 2020 Courage to Come Back Awards Nominee Search

November 12, 2019

  • News1130 – Recognizing Courage: Nominations open for 22nd annual Coast Mental Health Courage To Come Back Awards

August 20, 2019

  • BizBash – The Courage To Come back Awards secures the top third spot for Vancouver’s Top 100 Events for 2019

May 4, 2019

  • Fred Lee – Courage To Come Back Awards

April 18, 2019

  • News 1130 – Courage To Come Back: Youth award recipient meets every challenge with a smile
  • Vancouver Courier – 14 brain surgeries and still smiling: resilient teenager refuses to give up

April 11, 2019

  • News 1130 – Courage To Come Back: Medical recipient raises awareness about disease few have heard of
  • Vancouver Courier – Pain of chronic disease hasn’t stopped mother of three from helping others

April 4, 2019

  • News 1130 – Courage To Come Back: Once a prisoner of her mind, Mental Health recipient helps others achieve inner peace
  • Vancouver Courier – Vancouver’s Erin Emiru gives hope where hope was once lost

March 28, 2019

  • News 1130 – Courage To Come Back: Physical Rehabilitation recipient had to start over for life she wanted
  • Vancouver Courier – Power of positivity: a decade-plus display of strength and resilience

March 21, 2019

  • News 1130 – Courage To Come Back: Addiction recipient leads by example in her recovery
  • Vancouver Courier – From trauma to recovery, Geri Bemister uses her life’s journey to teach others

January 21, 2019

November 14, 2018

  • News 1130 – The Coast Mental Health Courage To Come Back Awards is now accepting nominations!

November 2, 2018

  • Global News – Former winner, Tom Teranishi, on the life-changing impact of the ‘Courage to Come Back Awards’

May 11, 2018 – post-Courage

May 11, 2018 – for immediate release

May 9, 2018

  • Vancouver Courier – Having the Courage to strive for better mental health services

January 18, 2018

January 16, 2018

December 4, 2017

December 1, 2017 

November 1, 2017

  • Revealing the new logo for the 20th annual Courage To Come Back Awards set to take place on May 10th, 2018 at the Vancouver Convention Centre

May 29, 2017

May 25, 2017 – New total is $1.63 million raised! Thank you!

May 23, 2017

May 17, 2017 – Record-breaking $1.57 million raised for Coast Mental Health!

Courage To Come Back

Award Criteria

These considerations apply to all 5 Courage To Come Back Award categories:

  • The nature of the misfortune and the impact on the nominee’s life
  • The degree of difficulty to overcome obstacles
  • The level of determination and perseverance
  • Ability to reach goals in spite of setbacks/obstacles
  • Contribution to the community/society
  • Inspirational value, positive impact on others