Mood Disorders Association of Ontario | Talk to someone who's been there

Personal Stories

Karen Liberman

Photo Credit:

Photo by Barry Shainbaum.

You see, for me, hope, healing and recovery are not individual attainments or life states. Like the best meal or song or spectacular view, these are most profoundly felt when shared with others. I will forever thank MOOD DISORDERS ASSOCIATION for allowing me to share this finest of all gifts.

On Tuesday morning August 27 1997, I awoke at 10:37 am on the psychiatric ward in Sunnybrook Hospital and I was well. After fifteen years of indescribable emotional, cognitive, and physical pain, I was well. After six psychiatrists, seventeen hospital stays, twenty-seven different medications, twenty-four electro-convulsive therapy treatments, countless amounts of psycho-therapy, I was well. Having experienced spontaneous remission after one dose of a new medication (that I would continue with for the next twelve years), I was well.

An adventure worth my recovery

Submitted by Anonymous on July 12, 2011 - 3:32pm

Psychiatrists, therapists and social workers have told me I use humour as a defence mechanism, the gentler ones called it a coping strategy. It's true; humour has helped me through difficult situations and helped me to deflect probing questions, sometimes very probing questions. However, at the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario I found out humour could be more than survival. It could be transformation.

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Laughing Like Crazy

Joining the Mood Disorders Association

Submitted by Anonymous on July 6, 2011 - 10:28am

As I clamber my way up the steep, sloping shoulders of the giants who’ve given so much to and through the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario, let me say what a wonderful view it is. It’s week one, and I am so excited to be here!

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Not Farewell...but see you again

Submitted by Anonymous on June 30, 2011 - 9:00am

A farewell is necessary before we can meet again, and meeting again, after moments or a lifetime is certain for those who are friends.
Anonymous

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Karen Liberman retirement

New Mental Health and Addictions Strategy for Ontario

Submitted by Anonymous on June 22, 2011 - 12:40pm

The Ontario government has just released its 10 year strategy for improving support and services for people living with a mental illness or addiction.

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Mental Health and Addictions Strategy

Stop The Stigma Award Winner: In His Own Words

Submitted by Anonymous on June 14, 2011 - 3:18pm

A few weeks ago, we shared with you a Globe and Mail story featuring one of the student leaders who volunteers with our Stop The Stigma program. The student, Lorenzo Colocado, received the Louise Russo WAVE Foundation.

We asked Lorenzo to share his experience with Stop The Stigma, and why the issue of mental health is important to him. Here’s what he had to say:

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Stopping the Stigma: Sharing My Experience

Submitted by Anonymous on June 8, 2011 - 3:17pm

I turned 25 last weekend. It was also a chance to celebrate 5 years of being in recovery. I remember eating my 20^th birthday cake in the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) inpatient unit, days before I left the hospital for the last time. I never thought I’d be here today: alive and well, a soon-to-be university graduate, and a volunteer with the Mood Disorders Association’s Stop the Stigma, telling my story to thousands of Toronto high school students and the people who care about them.

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Stop The Stigma

Making Mental Health and Addictions an Election Priority

Submitted by Anonymous on June 1, 2011 - 5:48pm

Election fever is hitting Ontario! The current MPPs took part in Question Period for the last time today before the election on October 6, 2011.

And, we're ready.

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Mother speaks out about children's mental health

Submitted by Anonymous on May 18, 2011 - 2:24pm

Laura Coughlin knows well the challenges of raising children who have mental health issues. She also knows the joy. Through her volunteer work with the Mood Disorders Association, Parents for Children's Mental Health and other groups, Laura is sharing her experience with other parents.

Laura was recently featured in the Kitchener-Waterloo Record.

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Stop The Stigma Student Wins Prestigious Award

Submitted by Anonymous on May 11, 2011 - 10:48am

Congratulations to Lorenzo Colocado!

Lorenzo is one of the students who sits on the organizing commitee for our Stop The Stigma partnership with the Toronto Catholic District School Board. And today, Lorenzo is receiving an award from the Louise Russo WAVE Foundation for his work on Stop The Stigma.

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Welcome to our new website!

Submitted by Anonymous on May 3, 2011 - 11:54am

If you're new to our website, welcome!

If you're a repeat visitor, you'll notice some major changes. But don't worry, all the key information you loved on our previous site is still here. We've just made it a little easier for you to find it.

Let's take a quick tour of the new site: