The stigma people with mental illness and addiction face can prevent them from seeking the help they need. To help reduce this stigma, it's important to share inspiring stories of recovery and hope like the ones you see below.
CAMH is always looking for clients to share their experiences. If you have received treatment at CAMH and would like to share your story, please contact Public Affairs at (416) 535-8501 x 4250 or email public.affairs@camh.ca
At 14, Tamara started drinking. Though both her parents were alcoholics, she didn’t think she would develop a problem with alcohol. CAMH’s Aboriginal Service was where
Tamara got the help she needed. In a 21 Day Treatment Program, Tamara, along with other Aboriginal women with addiction challenges, worked together in treatment groups that provided services based on Aboriginal values, beliefs and traditions. Tamara found the program extremely helpful.
CAMH client Jane Webber tells the story of her struggle with depression, and the various treatments she tried - from medications to ECT - before success with the new magnetic pulse therapy MST - at the grand opening of the new Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention. "We all need new options in our lives. Options provide us with strength, they empower us and, most importantly, they give us hope for the future," explained Jane Webber during the grand opening ceremony.
In this video, CAMH client Lamar Langely proudly shows us her new apartment and talks about living in the community after a long-stay in hospital.
What Housing Means to Me: The Voices of People Living with Mental Illness. As part of the knowledge exchange activities for the Turning the Key project, mental health consumers talked to CAMH about their experiences with housing and supports. These are their stories.
Home is definitely where the heart is, especially in
Lindsay’s case. The former CAMH outpatient signed her lease for an apartment at the
non-CAMH building at 100 Lower Ossington Avenue.
Raymond was smoking in excess of 50 cigarettes a day. He found help at CAMH's Nicotine Dependence Clinic and was able to quit.
Angela found help for bipolar disorder through CAMH's Mood and Anxiety Program.
Nick struggled to finish high school while he struggled to recover from addiction. He managed to do both with help from CAMH.
Marie experienced psychosis as a teenager. Today she is a concert-level harpist, a Transforming Lives Award recipient and a 2010 Olympic Torch relay participant.
Sean successfully battled an opiate addiction and is now in university pursuing addiction studies.
Paige re-entered the workforce with help from CAMH's Gender Identity Clinic and the Employment Works! program.
Ridwan found help at CAMH's First Episode Psychosis program and has resumed his education and social activities.
Frank went from client in the Addictions Program to CAMH volunteer.
Patrick started his own company after being treated for bipolar disorder.
Henry overcame addiction and is an acclaimed artist.
Earla battled social phobia and then started North America's largest support group for it.
Stories about families affected by mental illness and addiction.
The CAMH Foundation's Transforming Lives campaign features celebrities and non-celebrities sharing their personal experiences with mental illness and addiction. Transforming Lives Awards recipients on YouTube.
Shelagh Rogers 
Rick Green
Brian Glasgow
Esther Mwangi
Betty-Lou Kristy
Jesse Bigelow
Bill Macphee
Kathy Bedard
Young CAMH clients recorded radio spots for Mental Illness Awareness Week.
Video "Beyond Psychosis" tell the stories of five young people who experienced psychosis.