Island Health recognizes 2 islanders for helping break stigma surrounding mental health

In recognition of Mental Wellness Week, a pair of Vancouver Islanders are receiving awards for their efforts to combat the stigma encompassing mental well being although inspiring other people in the discipline.

Marjike McDonald and Cameron Webster are the winners of Island Health’s Psychological Health and fitness and Substance Use Local community Services Awards for 2022.

Macdonald is staying recognised for her work in producing Property Is In which The Heart Is, a charitable foundation aimed at boosting awareness for the homelessness disaster in Victoria.

The basis ran an initiative that donated 50 backpacks complete of supplies to people today living on the streets.

“I would like for it to be a lifelong passion job,” said McDonald.

“I believe that the much more the unhoused local community knows that we are listed here to assistance them the much better, and we definitely are doing work on discouraging the divide amongst the housed and unhoused group,” she explained.

Webster was awarded for his participation in the documentary Stick to My Brain which chronicles his journey from prognosis to restoration from schizoaffective dysfunction.

Now he performs as a peer aid employee on the early psychosis intervention crew, which beforehand served him.

Cameron Webster (appropriate) is a single of this year’s recipients of the Island Health and fitness Psychological Health and fitness and Material Use Local community Provider Awards. (CTV Information)

“Comprehensive circle moment,” he mentioned. “It’s wonderful to be ready to help out and it does not come to feel like perform. I genuinely love what I get to do.”

“Restoration is not only probable but anticipated with psychosis,” Webster included.

“It is a complicated detail. With out a question it’s the toughest experience I’ve had to go by means of in my life, but owning absent through it, it gave me some classes, designed me a improved person, and now I feel happier than I at any time have.”

The awards have been presented by the MHSU South Island Advisory Committee at the Royal Jubilee Medical center on Tuesday afternoon.