“I couldn’t take care of my children because I couldn’t take care of myself.”

Graces’s story

Trigger Warning: The content below contains information on mental illness and suicide which some readers may find triggering. If you need support, please contact the Ontario Shores crisis line: 1-800-263-2679.After the birth of her third child, Grace's mental health started to drastically decline. "When I started to think about harming myself and my children, I realized I needed actual help."

The severity of her illness was taken lightly both by her and those around her. But her symptoms became so intense that she saw no other option but to drive herself to the Emergency Room at her community hospital.

"I have been living with mental health issues since I was young, but never took it seriously because of my family and culture," Grace says. "In my experience, mental illness in the Asian community is seen as a sign of weakness and is very stigmatized."

In addition to being diagnosed with post-partum depression, it was determined that Grace also suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to a history of relationship stressors. She was then referred to the LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart Women's Clinic (Women's Clinic) at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences.

Within two months, she was meeting weekly with Bernadette, a Social Worker in the Women's Clinic.

"It was like ripping off a band-aid as we went back through my history to find the root cause of my mental breakdown. At first, I found it very challenging to relive my past traumas and wanted to quit."

But thinking about her kids gave her the strength to keep going.

“I did not want to repeat the intergenerational trauma on my kids. I want to be in a state where I can take care of them and provide a happy and healthy life for us all.”

"This is now possible because Bernadette provided such a safe, patient, and compassionate space," continues Grace. "Before her, I felt so judged - the things I shared with her, I had never shared with anyone."

The Women's Clinic provides psychotherapy, supportive counselling, and parenting support to women struggling with their mood and anxiety related to pregnancy and postpartum and support to women struggling with mood dysregulation related to hormonal issues during menopause.

"When working with clients of any cultural background, I ensure I am providing the three core concepts for therapeutic change; being genuine, offering unconditional positive regard and acceptance, and empathic understanding," says Bernadette. "This is the start in any therapeutic relationship to help individuals break through mental health barriers to be able to work towards one’s mental health recovery."

These are the faces of Ontario Shores. They are moms like Grace, who has silently struggled with mental health issues since she was young. When Grace started to think about harming herself and her children, she knew she needed help. Ontario Shores is here for Grace as she faces the challenges on her path to recovery.