My hope for the next few episodes is to open the conversation and connect to people living with mental illness and those who love, support, counsel, parent, care, teach, and know people … because some of you will never know, we become exceptional navigators of systems and places, and people we want to protect.

Many people who love and know me, will not have heard this side of the story…there are so many reasons that our mental health does not become dinner talk, or shared… people still worry that if people know they WILL see them and treat them differently, and less than.

My hope is that by telling the story, people will realise the incredible struggle met with incredible strength that it takes to share something that has been hidden in family closets, tucked away and not spoken of, laughed off at work, and is still hidden in more places than I can consider.

I will start this story with a spoiler… I found my strength and my drive to play in my darkest spaces. It took me a long time to realise where it was, but now I get to share how important it is to find the things that give you your play when you have nothing left.

I will continue to share my personal journey and insights on mental illness and creating more space for both self care and awareness,

What is vital to me is that people know their story matters, people matter, and the key to better mental health is to value that the journey has many different paths, lived by many different people. People you cant imagine, and people you can.

Our stories matter…

My next episode in the Patient Lens Bonus Series will look at how I climbed out from that dark place and back to my life, and the importance of building new foundations to support a different way of existing and living.

Find your play and remind yourself and others that finding it is a gift…

In the show notes I have included phone numbers and text lines that connect you to International mental health resources and crisis lines.

Resources in Canada

I'm in crisis

• Find a crisis centre in your province or territory.
• ementalhealth.ca to find mental health services, and support in your community.
• Canadian Mental Health Association - find your local CMHA office to access support and resources.
• Kids Help Phone - visit online or call 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a counsellor

I need to talk to someone (if you are not in crisis)

• ConnexOntario to find services for drug and alcohol, gambling or mental health issues.
• Canadian Mental Health Association to find your local CMHA to access mental health help, support and resources.
• Kids Help Phone - visit them online or call 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a counsellor.
• Transgender Crisis Line: 1-877-330-6366.
• Find a therapist in your local area.
• How to find a psychologist.
• If you are in high school, speak to a counsellor, public health nurse or other relevant staff at your Student Health Services.
• Most Canadian colleges and universities provide free counselling to their students.

Resources in the United States of America

I'm in crisis

• Local crisis centre.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to be directed to a crisis centre closest to you.
• National Hopeline - call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) to speak to a crisis counsellor.
• The Trevor Project - provides crisis and suicide support for LGBTQ youth, 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386).

I need to talk to someone (if you are not in crisis)

• If you are in high school, you can also speak to a counsellor, public health nurse or other relevant staff at Student Health Services for additional support.
• Suicide Survivor Support Group Directory if you've lost somebody to suicide, locate a support group in your area.
• Talk to your family doctor
• Look in your local phonebook to locate a counsellor, therapist or local helpline near you.

Resources outside Canada and the United States

• International Association for Suicide Prevention
• International Suicide Hotlines

Social Media Resources

• If you have seen suicidal content on social media, you should contact law enforcement and (if applicable) officials on Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr directly.
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also assists users on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.