Hello...
I only found this introduce yourself part...
I have been yapping on the forum for months now but did not formally introduce myself...
I am a provincial systems level LIVED EXPERIENCE/'Family' advocate.
I am a survivor of mental illness, drug/alcohol addictions and also a bereaved mother. My 25 year old son Pete, died from an accidental prescription Oxycontin overdose on Dec. 23, 2001 (he also struggled with concurrent disorders)
I have worked for a decade sharing mine and my late son's journey both publicly as a speaker and around many system level tables, for both youth and adults through Ministry of Health, Centre for Addiction & Mental Health (CAMH), DTFP, Mississauga/Halton LHIN, Region of Halton, plus other government & community agencies.
I have had the distinct pleasure of working on specialized projects such as the Health Minister’s Expert Working Group Narcotic Addition and Ministry of Health’s Consumer Advisory for the 10 year Mental Health & Addiction and also have training and past experience with Children's Aid Society, Big Sisters, Restorative Justice, Conflict mediation and completed the Halton Citizen’s Police Academy program.
Oh... and in my spare time I wrote three lived experience picture & soulful prose e-books.