Someone said to me “The member I was talking to said ‘I want to deal with my illness without meds, just like Aaron’” and those words echoed in my head a little. What did that mean exactly? It was then that I realized I have a responsibility to clarify my position on this topic so that I’d never be accused of being anti-medication, and more importantly that someone would harm their recovery to emulate me.
The first time I stopped taking medication did not go very well at all. It was the summer of 2001 and I was less than a year into dealing with a diagnosis. My mood and behaviour slowly deteriorated and by October I was in the hospital. Shortly after this I came to a realization that I had to make peace with my medication and to transform the relationship I had with it. It wasn't an adversary working against me; it was the ally I needed in order to function in this critical juncture in my life. If I was going to have a job, be in school and carry on like a normal human being, I was going to have to get over my hang-ups when it came to meds. It was a tough pill to swallow.
Summer Student Hannah reflects on her time at Laing House
Written by Hannah ScottFrom the moment I walked through the door of Laing House, I knew that this was the place I wanted to spend my summer. I was instantly greeted with a warm welcome, and engaged in a great conversation about mental health with a staff member, while I awaited my interview. As a current student at the University of King’s College, spending my first summer here in Halifax, I had been very eager to learn the city and get the most out of my time here. Previously, I knew what a great organization Laing House was, but what I did not know, was the extent of which Laing would far exceed my expectations. This summer has truly been amazing. Every morning, I have been so thankful to wake up eager and excited to go to work and embrace a new day at the house.
Members recently took on a fitness challenge and adventured to OnTree! OnTree is an obstacle course park in Windsor, NS that offers unique physical challenges for all levels, including; climbing tracks, high rope courses and zip lines. OnTree offered a great opportunity for members to get out of the city and try something new.
One member, Liz, jumped at the chance: “I like being considered adventurous. After getting sick enough that I could barely get off the couch, it is important for me to be active so it doesn’t happen again. My current barriers to doing this more is a mixture of finances and being able to do thing in a supportive environment. Going to OnTree with Laing House help me with both of these issues.”
Where should I go to school? What type of career do I want? Figuring out the future is a priority for most youth. Andrew, a member who recently moved from Laing House was no different.
“The Education & Employment program...[has] made me aware of interesting jobs and work-related programs that are available and some which I’ve participated in. Also, staff has helped guide me through researching and applying for post-secondary studies. They have helped to make this process less overwhelming and therefore less anxiety inducing.”
Laing House was a haven for Andrew when he needed it most and helped him get his life back on track. Wanting to share with others what he learned about living with a mental illness, Andrew’s dream is to one day work at Laing House.
The past few months have been an exciting time for Laing’s LGBTQ members group! Led by Peer Support Staff, Stephanie Young, the group offers a safe space for queer members and their allies to engage in fun activities and community events with a queer-positive focus. The opportunity to connect with other queer youth, who are living with mental illness, can be incredibly impactful.
Whether creating pride-themed mugs and figurines at Clay Café or participating in the popular monthly program, Queer Movie Night & Snacks at Laing House, the time our members spend together talking and socializing reiterates the fact that they are not alone.
A tradition that’s begun at laing house is a yearly canoe trip to Kejimakujik national park. I’ve had the privilege of being part of the trip we did in 2012 and also the trip that we did from September 20th-22nd of this year.
One accepted translation of kejimikujik is “tired muscles” and I can certainly say that’s a fitting name. It was really great to see members achieving in a whole different type of environment. So often we are assisting members with employment or housing, it was good to just help people set up tents, filter water from the lake and work as a team to keep moving on our trip.
Can you believe the Masquerade Ball's less than a month away!?!
My name is Katherine Taylor, and I'm a member at Laing House and I would like to share with you a little bit about what Laing means to me, and it has impacted my life.
Before Laing I felt so isolated in my illness, I had a secret that I felt I had to keep hidden and my life had lost direction. I didn't have a job and I had destroyed many of the meaningful relationships in my life and I was suffering all alone, with only my anxiety and depression to keep me company. I had tried several times to put my life in order, but it just wasn't working. I needed a way out and I was desperate to find an answer that wasn't at the bottom of a bottle of pills.
In October of 2012 my wife Rosemary & I, at the Laing House Masquerade Ball, were lucky enough to be the winning bidders on a trip to Sable Island.
We delayed taking the trip until late summer this year in order to improve our chances of good weather. On Saturday 12th September at 8:30am we and 5 family and friends boarded the 7 passenger Britten-Norman Islander plane at Maritime Air at Halifax Airport for the trip.
A year later after my Laing House 'Words of Hope' speech it is still exciting for me and this is a good time to for me to revisit the night and the experience afterwards. Immediately after my speech was done, I knew within seconds something very big had happened. When I attempted to explain the night to my friends, co-workers etc. I would say "I couldn't even get to the bathroom", there were so many people with kind words to share, and even those who took the time to say a simple 'thank you' meant the world to me.
As a health care professional and practicing clinical dental hygienist I believe that educating, promoting and engaging our friends, clients, interest groups and the public at large in a discussion about oral health is the hallmark of our profession.
An opportunity came my way to do just that, when a local hygienist Jillian Burkhardt contacted me with a query about how at risk youth can access oral health care. Through Jillian I got in contact with a Community Support Staff at Laing House and my oral health education journey began!