Everyone has a story to tell

A powerful way to inspire hope is to share our stories. Stories about lived experience, recovery and the deep desire to change the way the world sees mental illness. Be inspired by the stories that come out of the CAMH One Brave Night for Mental Health challenge, share your own and help defeat mental illness.

If you want to share your story, we'd love to hear from you.

Meet Julie

Julie

"One Brave Night is an event that’s close to my heart because of its ability to raise both funds and awareness.

You can raise money for an important cause just by spending a night doing the things you love! I love board games and cheesy TV, so my One Brave Night Team usually spends the night playing games and watching reality TV shows.

Raising funds helps support the very programs that saved my life. Raising awareness normalizes mental health care, making people comfortable enough to address and treat their mental illness early.

I’m lucky that I got the guidance I needed in time. The earlier someone can get the care they need, and know it’s ok to need care, the better.

Mental illness can make you feel very isolated, but the reality is that so many other people are having the same experiences."

Meet Ashley

Ashley

"It’s important to fight the stigma that clouds the topic of mental health. Often, when people can’t relate it is difficult to show empathy. But you don’t need to understand to be understanding. That’s why it’s important that we raise awareness to relieve current stigma and raise funds to make facilities and programs available to those who need it most.

It’s important to let people know they aren’t alone in their fight and give them hope to persevere and love themselves.

One in five Canadians are dealing with their own mental health challenge and often suffer in silence. Be their voice and let them know that they are not alone."

Meet Adam

Adam

"I have struggled with depression my entire life. I had a very hard time finding help. I couldn’t find a psychiatrist, so I had no real diagnosis and I couldn’t find a psychologist that was the right fit. Eventually, I ended up in the hospital because of suicidal thoughts.

My wife called CAMH and got a referral from my family physician. I was seen by a psychiatrist at CAMH and she referred me to the CBT group in the Mood Disorder program. This program truly began my recovery.

One day I saw a poster in the elevator promoting something called One Brave Night, so I went home and read up on it. I registered that evening and managed to raise just over a thousand dollars.

Participating in One Brave Night and fundraising is important because mental illness has affected almost every Canadian, either directly or indirectly."

Meet Nick

Nick

"I spent years trying to fight the inner demons mental illness created. I was afraid to tell anyone what I was feeling because I didn’t know how they would treat me. The day I became vocal about my personal anxieties, I felt an instant relief. I knew I needed to pass my message on to others. I have presented in high schools and to different hockey organizations about mental illness and my story.

I got involved with CAMH One Brave Night last year for the first time. This year I hope to relay my story to more people than last year, and hopefully inspire others to come together as one in the fight against mental illness.

Not only should people register for One Brave Night to raise money and awareness for mental illness, but also they should register to further build a community."

Meet Michelle

Michelle

"Growing up, mental illness was always a taboo conversation and something that I never knew much about. I was known for being social and silly but there was always an unexplained sadness within me that I never understood or felt I could share with anyone. When I finally received a diagnosis of depression and anxiety I felt a sense of relief that help was out there.

One Brave Night has been something I look forward to each year, as it’s such a positive evening. Not only are people around the country raising funds for an amazing cause, but they’re inspiring so much hope for those who struggle.

The efforts CAMH makes for mental health initiatives are amazing, they’re constantly growing and expanding working towards wait lists being a thing of the past."


Share your story today.