Donna, Marie, Nick and Sean visited the New Flow 93.5 studios in downtown Toronto to record a series of public service announcements to mark Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 4-10). In the PSA, the CAMH clients courageously share stories of their struggle with addiction and mental illness to encourage others to seek help. 

 
Nick, one of four CAMH clients recording their stories in public service announcements at The New Flow 93, which is teaming up with CAMH to mark Mental Illness Awareness Week. The PSAs begin airing on Oct 4th.
 
Many of them had never been in a recording studio before, but everyone rose to the occasion and told their stories in an honest and accessible way.

Donna, a student in CAMH’s REACH Program, spoke candidly about her struggle with substance use and ADHD. “At first I wasn’t sure if I wanted the entire city to know that I used to use drugs and that I’m a student at CAMH, but it feels good to know that my story will encourage others to seek help for themselves or someone they know.” Donna will graduate this winter and is looking forward to what lies ahead. “I still have my whole life ahead of me – I know I can become whatever I want.”

Sean, who had an addiction to opioids along with undiagnosed ADHD, shared that while on the brink of suicide, CAMH connected him to the help he needed. Sean is now drug-free, thanks to methadone treatment. He is studying to become an addiction counselor and devotes much of his time to raising awareness around mental health and addiction issues, particularly the value of methadone maintenance therapy. 

 
Donna, Maria, Nick and Sean at the studios of the New Flow 93.