At the very beginning of December 2020, Kristi decided that she didn’t want to hold a short term demonstration for a long term problem. She made a commitment (Not sure of where it was going) to hold a long term demonstration for a long term problem. For the first 51 weeks it was held outside the Waterford Hospital, but with new understanding about the controversary around that choice— switched to Confederation Building. (Thank you to Steve at Fast Signs for the amazing banner!) Since week 1, some attention has been brought to the issue. To name a few:
Articles written in the media about the need for better access
Almost $10 000 raised for the Jacob Puddister Memorial Foundation in November 2021
Two petitions brought forward in the House of Assembly by Paul Dinn and Perry Trimper
Spoken directly to the premier, several MHAs, and Jagmeet Singh
Been on CBC Crosstalk, The St. John’s Morning Show, Open Line and NTV Evening News Hour speaking to the issues.
Sent every single MHA a copy of a 2021 calender with reminders about access to long-term mental healthcare
It’s been a slow going, but we don’t want to give up.
But now it’s not just her— others have joined in, and below are the regulars who make an effort to be there each week and hold the fort down when others are unable to make it.
My name is Kristi Allan (she/her). As of the time updating this website, I’ve been demonstrating for 90 weeks for better access to long term mental healthcare. I live with bipolar disorder (told by my current psychiatrist to be floating between type 1 & 2) and currently in search of a medication that isn’t so difficult to adjust to. In the meantime, I’m thankful for my therapist, lithium, and lamotrigine. Passionate, flawed, and love living by the ocean with my supportive husband Calvin. My little panthers make my heart smile and I like to work while Open Line plays in the background. My favourite resource to tell people about is Barry Hewitt. He is the mental health systems navigator who can be reached at barry.hewitt@easternhealth.ca.
My name is Jillian Donovan (she/her). I have been demonstrating for more accessible long term mental healthcare for almost a year a now.
In the past couple of years I have stopped denying my own mental health struggles and have started opening up about it. I've been fortunate to have support when I needed it, but recognize that that's a privilege many don't have.
In my spare time I love being outdoors, petting people's dogs, and eating good food. My favourite mental health resources are the supportive services offered by NL Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre.
My name is Kaiden Dalley (they/he). I have been demonstrating for access to long term mental healthcare for over a year now. I was diagnosed with bipolar in 2017 and an eating disorder in 2018. Recovery has had its ups and downs but I am thankful for the support I have received. I am currently an honours student in behavioural neuroscience and in my free time I enjoy writing, walking my dog, and working my part time job. My favourite mental health resource is the 2SLGBTQIA+ Warm Line run by Planned Parenthood.(1-866-230-8041 or http://plannedparenthoodnlshc.com/warmline.html)
I’m called Ari Rochester (they/them). I’ve been demonstrating to improve access to long term mental healthcare for well over a year. I am diagnosed with C-PTSD, DID, Bipolar II and ADHD. Medications help for a few of these, but not all. I’m grateful to have an excellent trauma informed therapist, but the cost is exorbitant. I’m a caregiver for my elderly parents, and care deeply about social justice. I love the sound of the ocean, writing poetry, and cooking for friends. The local resource I have used and would recommend is the individual counselling offered by the St. John’s Women’s Centre (https://sjwomenscentre.ca/programs/st-johns-womens-centre/)
My name is Katie (she/her). I am a data nerd and social psychologist who works in the nonprofit sector. While I don’t live with a mental illness myself, I know and love many wonderful people who do. I believe adequate, accessible, consistent mental health care should be the norm for us all and not the exception, including long-term care for long-term issues. My favourite forms of stress relief and self-care are singing, being outside, and synchronized figure skating. I love fresh fruit, beach fires, Ted Lasso, and parties where you’re home and in bed by midnight. My favourite mental health resource is Wellness Together, which you can access online at https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA or by phone (see website for the right number for you).