The one thing that is constant in life is change. Seasons change. Prices at the grocery store change. Your kids change as they get older. Your weight changes (ok, this is me and my salty snack addiction talking here) and sometimes, things change because you are ready to set something down and open yourself up for something new. In this case, I’m taking that next step in my journey, and setting down the day job with the regular paycheque to do new things. Although I have loved working at Lambton County Development Services for over 4 years, it’s time to spread my wings and do my best to soar. Publishing, web design and marketing have been going very well, and a new opportunity has landed at my feet, so to speak.
I am honoured and excited to be working with Debb Pitel, mental health advocate and author of I’m Still Your Mom, to bring to the community this booklet, No One Stands Alone – A Guide to Resources and Support for Mental Health. The objective is to make this booklet full of first contact resources for mental health available in many, non-clinical settings and at no cost to the people who want one. We have also built an accompanying website at www.noonestandsalone.ca where you can find out where the booklets are available as well as find other mental health related resources, such as websites, downloads, and books. We are also featuring one person’s mental health journey each month with the idea of breaking the stigma around mental health and showing that there is hope by sharing these inspirational stories.
We are continually fundraising to bring more of these booklets to more places, and the first run of the booklets go to print this week! We are building a boutique on the site featuring No One Stands Alone branded merchandise, crafted by local artisans and entrepreneurs, with a portion of the proceeds directly funding new booklets.
Debb’s passion for better access to mental health resources is admirable and infectious, and pairs beautifully with my own passion for encouraging others and helping them build self-esteem and realize their worth. The work on this project so far has included long hours, but it is both rewarding and fulfilling and I am blessed to be a part of something that has the potential to break stigma, help people heal and possibly save some lives.
To date, we have been utterly overwhelmed and touched by the amount of support for this project. It has been truly amazing! If you want to know more, please visit the website at www.noonestandsalone.ca. Use the resources listed, be inspired by others’ journeys or be a part of what we’re doing by shopping the boutique or even sending a donation.
