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.

Thoughts about international Women’s day (March 8th) by Claudia LeBlanc.

Submitted by MDAO on March 5, 2012 - 9:58pm

One of the things I love most about coming to my weekly MDAO women's group are the women.

Every week, we bravely share some of our innermost feelings that even some of our closest friends or family don't know. It is a place to come to when you want your voice heard and some validation that your life matters. We not only share our personal stories and struggles with mental illness, but we help one another in such a loving and supportive manner that it never comes across as condescending or malicious in any way. We're all treated with respect, which allows for some pretty amazing exchanges when your heart is up and your guard is down.

I am honored to be around such women who, day in and day out, stare life in the face and courageously say, 'Yes, I still have hope'. It is this hope that keeps us coming back, week after week. Even in our most darkest hours, a flicker of light shines through when you can come in, sit down, and bare your soul.

It's courageous and transformative and I am honored and thankful that these types of groups exist and that I can say to myself, 'You are not alone".

by Claudia LeBlanc