Our speakers are all gifted story tellers who have survived and are in recovery or recovering from a mental illness. They are here to tell you about themselves and their life experiences with mental illness. You will find each delivered with authenticity, candor and humour.

Meet Alethia

Alethia is a high school senior in the early stages of her diagnosis. She is enthusiastic about reaching out to anyone with a mental illness particularly teenagers who may be experiencing symptoms. Alethia's infectious personality has audiences wanting to hear more.

Meet Ben

A gifted and talented artist, Ben attends Langara College where he is currently studying Art History and Drawing. At 20 Ben has experienced stigma first hand and is keen to educate people about the facts. In addition to attending college, Ben works as a private home care worker.

Meet Brent

Brent is a fourth year business student at SFU concentrating in Entrepreneurship. Diagnosed with schizophrenia after 2 episodes of psychosis, Brent feels lucky to be fighting the battle of mental illness. He believes in a fair just society where people with mental illness are treated just like anyone with a physical illness. Brent founded a mental health club - Students for Mental Wellness - at SFU and speaks regularly about his mental illness experiences. He is active in sports including coaching youth soccer.

Meet Christina

Christina has struggled with both Social Anxiety and clinical Depression. She has shared her experiences with mental illness in front large groups (50+ people), believing that, by doing so, she might encourage others to seek help early, and thus avoid some of the frustration and hopelessness that she has experienced. She plays an active role in the youth ministry at her church parish, working to increase awareness and engage youth about mental health issues. In addition, she is an active member of Students for Mental Wellness at SFU, helping lead the formation of a peer-led support group on campus, and will be acting as one of the main facilitators for this group. She is in her 3rd year of studies in the department of Psychology at SFU.

Meet Christopher

Chris is a third year psychology student at UBC with an interest in psychological disorders. He is also the President, Charity Director, and a Team Rider on the Westwood Cycles/Cannondale Vision Sports road cycling team, which rides in support of the Canadian Mental Health Association. Chris's other interests are reading, weight lifting, running, hiking and mountain biking. Chris is 25 and first developed psychosis and schizophrenia when he was 13.

Meet Joe

Joe attends university at Capilano College studying Psychology. In addition, he facilitates a peer led support group for youth with a mental illness for the Mood Disorders Association. He is enthusiastic about educating people about mental illness and providing support to his peers. Joe's other interests include his rock band and being an avid chess player.

Meet Lindsay

Lindsay is a university transfer student at Capilano University. She has a passion for neuroscience and has been working in research labs since she was 17. She hopes to one day become a psychiatrist. Her hobbies include mountain biking, snowboarding, and photography.

Meet Meaghan

Meaghan began studies at UBC in Social work and Family Studies in 2004. She has experienced challenges with mood and anxiety since her early adolescence and has been a consumer of mental health and psychiatric services for several years. Meaghan is a gifted singer song writer and an advocate for positive reform of the current mental health system. She has self healed using alternative therapies and spirituality and is now working on some community projects to help make alternative therapies in the private sector more available to low income individuals who want to self heal. She uses her art and her projects to break down stigmas about mental health and spread her messages of hope and healing.

Meet Tara

Newly diagnosed, Tara brings a fresh new perspective to the Speakers Bureau. A college student studying accounting, Tara fills her spare time working two part time jobs and helping out at her church. She is just learning about her illness and is eager to share her experiences with others.

Meet Taylor

Taylor has been a student at SFU for 6 years. Having volunteered with patients no-older than himself at Riverview Hospital, and experiencing issues with mood and anxiety of his own (i.e. Social Anxiety, Dysthymia), Taylor became especially interested in issues of mental health around his second year at SFU. In the fall of 2008, Taylor met Brent, founder of the newly-formed club “Students for Mental Wellness,” and quickly became highly involved. He has played a role promoting the club and educational/awareness events put on by the club, recruiting new members, and encouraging student-led projects and activities surrounding mental health issues. He will be graduating with a BSc in Computing Science with a minor in Philosophy.

For more information on the Speakers Bureau or to book a member of “The Lowdown” please call Nancy at 604-873-0103 or email operations@mdabc.net