Sandy Naiman, Award-Winning Journalist and Mental Health Advocate, Dies at 77
The journalism community mourns the loss of Sandy Naiman, a former Toronto Sun columnist and mental health advocate who passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the age of 77. She was surrounded by loved ones at the time of her passing.
A Three-Decade Career at the Toronto Sun
Sandy Naiman began her tenure at the Toronto Sun in the late 1970s, initially working in the entertainment section before transitioning to the Lifestyle department. Over her three-decade career, she specialized in women's issues and lifestyle-related stories, becoming a familiar voice to longtime readers during an era when print media dominated popular culture.
Her colleagues remember her as a tenacious and spunky journalist who never shied away from expressing her opinions. "You always knew she was in the office by her booming voice," recalled one former coworker, describing an impeccably dressed woman with perfectly coifed hair and a brilliant smile.
Mental Health Advocacy Through Personal Experience
What set Sandy Naiman apart was her willingness to write openly about her own physical and mental health struggles. She became a treasured mental health advocate, using her platform to help others facing similar challenges.
She authored a popular blog titled "Coming Out Crazy" where she discussed mental health with thought-provoking honesty, seeking not sympathy but empathy and understanding. "She made no bones about the fact her challenges with mental health dominated her life," noted a tribute, "but she became a treasured advocate, using her own struggles to help others."
Legacy in Journalism and Community Impact
During her time in the Lifestyle section, Sandy Naiman spearheaded columns that delved into sensitive and timely subjects. She was instrumental in the "Women on the Move" series, which celebrated women in the community whose achievements served as role models.
"She wrote hundreds of interviews about some of the most profound women in our community," the tribute continues, "at a time when no one was really covering such a beat."
Her work extended beyond typical lifestyle coverage, taking daily news stories and broadening them to another level. When famous politicians were caught in scandals, she would explore the psychological underpinnings of such behavior, speaking with experts to flesh out the subject matter.
A Complex and Memorable Personality
Colleagues describe Sandy Naiman as a woman of contrasts—brimming with optimism yet challenging, sweetly gentle yet demanding, capable of making people laugh out loud while giving them pause to think.
"She could be annoying and demanding," one colleague admitted, "but she tempered this with a sweet gentleness and a genuine curiosity about what made the world click."
Her resilience in facing personal challenges that "would have felled a lesser being" made her more powerful, according to those who knew her well.
A Trailblazer's Enduring Impact
Sandy Naiman leaves behind a colourful legacy as a trailblazer who helped open doors for those struggling to find their own voices. "She was one of a kind and her writings truly made a difference," the tribute concludes. "The world is a poorer place for having lost such a powerful voice in the community."
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel. Her passing marks the end of an era for Toronto journalism, but her impact on mental health advocacy and women's issues continues to resonate.
