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Our Team
Contact Us
If at any time you have questions, concerns, comments and/or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact the GB4U Co-Ordinator in your city:
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Lee Horbachewski (Calgary)
Through my own journey of mental illness and attempted suicide in 2004, I know firsthand how it is to feel isolated, alone and desperate. These feelings of isolation and disconnection are experienced in ALL walks of life, no matter who you are or what you do! By Going Blue 4 U, it is my hope people will continue talking, reach out and ask for help, and bring attention to Distress Centre, whose 24 Hour Crisis Line saved my life in 2004. www.simpleeserene.com |
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Laurel Hounslow (Victoria)
I am passionate about family. Anyone who knows me knows that. When my daughter suffered postpartum depression it was devastating for all of us, especially for her and her husband. Before that many mental health issues had escaped my notice. Robin is a survivor. She blogs about it on www.FarewellStranger.com. Now I am going to work on raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention and hope to raise some money for the cause on the way. I am “Going Blue 4 U” for the Vancouver Island Crisis Line and my Going Blue experiences will be on my blog www.timeandchance.ca. My wish is for people who suffer depression to become aware of the symptoms and feel that it is okay to ask for help without shame and guilt. And that our society learns how to help them. The gains for all of us would be enormous. |
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Angela Watt (Edmonton)
The choice to "go blue" was not an easy one. The stigma associated with mental illness at times feels like the elephant in the closet and creates an anxiety and fear that is like being on top of a roller coaster and not being in control of the outcome. I chose to be part of this amazing team of people because I AM NOT AFRAID and I don't think anyone else should be either to stand up and speak out. I live with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder every single day. 45% of women and 50% of children that have experienced abuse and rape will have PTSD. I fall into both of those categories. Speaking out about my experience is not meant to be negative. Speaking out is to create hope for those that feel lost.
To bring awareness that this isn't "all in your head". There is hope, there is beauty and safety and passion in life. Having a mental illness is scary enough, speaking out about it shouldn't be. I want you to know that you are strong and you are worthy of all of the beauty that is in life. Love, Life and Laughter! |
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Jaeson Cardiff (Calgary) |
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Megan Schumacher (Calgary)
I have decided to join the "go blue 4 u" team to abolish the shame associated with mental illness. I inherited bipolar disorder from a very young age and for years wondered what was wrong with me. "why can't I deal with things like other people? Why can't I control my emotions?" Some with my disorder have extreme addictions to shopping, drugs, gambling, and other vices. My vice was moving, running away from every problem, and everyone i hurt in the process. When i finally asked for help, I resisted the idea of medication, I was humiliated. Since committing to medication, I have learned to love myself, accept my flaws, and become a stable, reliable person. I have never been so happy with my life, and feel that it is so important to share with others that you are not alone, it's ok to ask for help, and you are perfectly you!
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Meagan Kelln (Calgary)
I've decided to "go blue" in honour of myself and my friends and family who live with depression and anxiety. I'm using this as an opportunity to shout from the roof tops that we don't need to be ashamed, or crippled by mental illness! We can live full, active, compassionate and happy lives through our depression, not just in spite of it. My own experience with clinical depression has lead to being on medication. I used to feel that being on medication was a crutch, but I now feel that it has given me the freedom to explore my mental illness with less judgment, and allowed me the space to be okay in the life I have now. I want to share the message that medicating mental illness is not just "an easy way out" or a "sign of weakness." I love my life, and I am grateful for my experience "feeling blue" because through it I grow and love and live more deeply.
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Melinda Baker (Calgary)
I'm going blue for myself and my family. Some of the most important people in my life suffer from mental illness and not being able to talk freely about it is something that breaks my heart. I believe in the programs that are set up to help, and i know that there are not enough. It would be an honor to color all of my hair blue for a cause like this. |
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Michelle Raoul Winters (Halifax)
Over the years I've had discussions with friends about the "stress" in our lives. As we "vented", someone would shyly mention some pills a doctor prescribed and suddenly drug brands was the topic at hand. From postpartum or an episode of depression because of a life crisis, to anxiety attacks or bipolar disorder, the common denominator of all these quietly shared "secrets" was the embarrassment of others finding out. I'm going blue for all of the people I've had these talks with. My son decided to join me, though for him it's as much a fashion statement as a sign of support. And because my dogs are so important to me, this was the perfect opportunity to give my Jack Russell Terrier, Mick, a blue mowhawk. We're making education and awareness of mental health issues a family affair! |
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