My passion for mental health stems from my own personal experiences, and in recognising just how common these battles are among so many. We all have mental health; it is a natural state of our well-being that we possess, and at one point in our lives, we are going to feel the lowest we have ever felt. There are some who fight a more persistent battle, but nonetheless, we all need a lifeline and support that can make the weight feel less enduring. I know how it feels to go to bed and wonder if it genuinely is worth waking up another day. There have been countless times I have heard how resilient I am by those in my support circle, which was frustrating for so long because I did not want to be, I learned to be. It is draining trying to figure everything out, and fighting for the help that you know you are deserving of, but you feel so unwell that you cannot advocate for yourself, by yourself.

With that said, somehow I keep moving forward, and I did not know why, but it is so clear now that this is my why. I know how it feels to be drowning, and all you have is yourself. I never want anybody to feel this way ever. The reason I joined Force for Health is simple: I want to be part of change within the healthcare sector. More specifically, I have seen how detrimental the psychiatric healthcare system in Canada is with negligence, but it does not end here. I have heard stories from people through social media who reside in the U.S. and the U.K, also experiencing challenges with negligence. It is a worldwide epidemic. The centre of my focus as a member of the Force for Health Network is to advocate for change in psychiatric healthcare and for it to become more accessible in a timely manner. I hope my contributions will emphasise the importance of prioritising an ethical approach, most especially when supporting those who are struggling with their mental health.