Keep Going!

Experiences in life shape you. If you are in the thick of it, you will never even realize. This experience you are facing is testing you. Be brave and put on your game face, and please fight with all you have got.

In 2007 my life got turned upside down. I experienced a severe mental health crisis. To this day I still struggle to talk about it. It brings back trauma, embarrassment and pain. I like to pretend that it never happened...

I vividly remember sitting at my kitchen table with my social worker. She told me that yes, one day I will get married and maybe, just maybe have a family of my own. The Canadian Mental Health Association and the Lynx (Early Psychosis intervention program) helped both myself and my entire family to navigate my new mental health diagnosis, as being bipolar. They provided resources, and assisted with medication management and counselling services. It was something new to our immediate family, so the support helped us immensely. I can honestly say, if my social worker had a crystal ball 14 years ago, and I saw my present life today...never in my wildest dreams would I have believed it.

One thing I promised myself is that if I am lucky enough to find a boyfriend, that I can see a future with, I will confide early in my relationship about my mental health struggles. I knew I had to do this to protect and guard my heart. Well, I feel very lucky because we are now married three years, together for nine years and I think he is here to stay! I am so incredibly grateful to have him in my life, and all of his family too.

If you are reading this post, and you are in the thick of it...make me a promise that you will keep going. Find your people that you can trust and lean on. Get help anyway that you can.

One day down the road, you are going to look back at this experience and be so damn proud of what you have overcome, and how much strength you had! I can promise you that.

I am now a Mental Health Advocate for a wonderful company called Own your stigma. I did let my mental health diagnosis define me for many years, even if I didn't know it. However, today I realize that I have to own it! If this crisis never happened, I would not be where I am today...and I absolutely love who I am and where I am today!

I also am a Just Strong Ambassador for another amazing company that empowers women to be strong in all areas. Strong in Mind and Strong in Body. #ownyourstigma #mentalhealthadvocate #keepfighting #keepgoing #strength #juststrongambassador #mentalhealthishealth #stronginmindstronginbody #TalkNow #youmattertoo #itsokaytonotbeokay #progressnotperfection