“Mental health recovery is not a straight line. It’s something you have to always work on.”

Shannah’s story

Between the ages of 18 and 22, Shannah was in and out of hospitals due to challenges she faced with her mental health. Diagnosed with anxiety and depression, Shannah, at age 26, then received a diagnosis for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Approaching the 2020 Christmas season, Shannah experienced depression along with suicidal thoughts. Shannah struggled with thoughts about no longer wanting to be on this earth. She was admitted to Lakeridge Health three times in the week before Christmas, and on December 28, Shannah was referred to Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. Within hours, she was admitted to the Complex General Psychiatry unit (CPG).

At this point, Shannah was very ill. She wanted nothing to do with recovery; she refused medication and was not interested in therapy. She was eventually transferred to the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICA) - a unit that specializes in intensive one-on-one care. While there, Shannah received Electro Convulsion Therapy (ECT), which helped combat her suicidal thoughts, and led to her actively engaging in self-care. This marked a pivotal turning point in her journey to recovery.

"I found ECT to be incredibly beneficial," says Shannah. "The personalized, one-on-one care allowed me to really open up and discuss my emotions without fear of judgment. It provided me with a safe space to be myself, completely transparent and unreserved." Discharged after six months, Shannah was excited and ready to go home to her family, where she had a niece and a new rescue dog waiting for her. She also rekindled her passion for horse back riding, a love of hers since she was five years-old.

"Once I was discharged, I committed to complete the Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) program at Ontario Shores." Shannah hopefully explains, "I felt ready. My suicidal ideations were gone. I was happier and taking my medication consistently."

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“Honestly, when I think back on everything I’ve been through, Ontario Shores changed my life,” says Shannah. “I felt utterly hopeless, like a challenging case that nobody wanted to address. At first, it was difficult to recognize the fact that they genuinely cared and were committed to helping me recover. However, once I fully embraced their support, it became a turning point that significantly altered my life for the better.”

Since then, Shannah has worked incredibly hard on her emotional regulation, coping strategies, and the exploration of a personalized ‘recipe for wellness.’ She returned to school and achieved her nursing degree. She recently finished her final nursing placement at Ontario Shores and successfully graduated as a Registered Practical Nurse. Shannah is now working as a palliative cancer care nurse and hopes to transition into mental health nursing where her personal lived experience, coupled with her nursing training, will help others who face similar mental health challenges as herself.

In January of 2023, Shannah took part in Ontario Shores’ Recovery College program. During this experience, she was reunited with one of her favourite nurses. Shannah is eager to participate in another series and to contribute to the Voices Against Stigma Everywhere (VASE) program, to help combat stigma and inspire others.

These are the faces of Ontario Shores. They are people like Shannah, who has faced mental health challenges since she was young and struggled with suicidal thoughts. Thanks to Ontario Shores, Shannah has journeyed back to a sense of well-being.

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