Everyone at Ontario Shores plays a role in enhancing mental health care. Through daily activities, special projects and positive interactions, staff, patients, volunteers and family members work in partnership to foster an environment of discovery, recovery and hope. The hard work and enthusiasm shown by each person involved in the journey to recovery is reflected in our patients’ happiness, well-being and success. We encourage individuals to share their stories and talk about their accomplishments with pride to advance mental health care and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. See some of our stories below.

Nalalie - Patient and Artist
Quiet. Artistic. Humble.
Natalie's Story

Sharlene - Patient
"It's a Wonderful Program"
Sharlene's Story

Yvonne - Patient
"I know I have someone that will listen"
Yvonne's Story

Jennifer - Patient
"I Needed Something More"
Jennifer's Story

Jessica - Artist
"I Now Feel Like I Can Be Successful in Life"
Jessica's Story

Michelle - Family
"Mental Illness is the Same as any Chronic Illness"
Michelle's Story

Nate - Patient
"I Feel Like I Can Help Others"
Nate's Story

Utaya - Patient
"I’m Very Focused and Independent"
Utaya's Story

Valene - Patient
"I Pushed Through My Fear and Started Off Small"
Read Story

Roxanna - Patient
Real Talk on Let’s Talk: This is Mental Illness
Read Story

Robin - Patient
"I wasn't a bad kid"
Read Story

Carley - Patient
"Nothing Felt As If It Was Going Right"
Read Story

Brian - Patient
"I Want to Share My Story to Help Others"
Read Story

Binah- Artist
"I feel like I always struggled to fit in and I was able to create a beautiful ..."
Read Story

Chelsea - Patient
"I felt like I was never meant to live to see 17."
Read Story

Janet - Patient
"I am learning how to relax and control my illness."
Read Story

Julie - Staff
"I take this opportunity to give back in a very meaningful way."
Read Story

Matthew - Patient
"Mental illness is only one part of my life, not my life."
Read Story

Rhonda - Family Member
"Our home environment gradually became more and more unbearable'"
Read Story

Rima - Patient
"We want other families to learn from our experiences."
Read Story

Team Shayne - Family Members
"Every member of our team, those who contribute and share in our pain help to raise money for a great cause."
Read Story

Amanda - Volunteer
"It's been an extremely rewarding experience."
Watch Video Story

Simon - Volunteer
"I encourage students who are looking for research opportunities in mental health to look into Ontario Shores."
Watch Video Story

Mariam - Volunteer
"I love it. I want to be here. I want to be a part of this organization."
Watch Video Story

Phyllis' Story of Recovery
"When I first came to Ontario Shores I wasn't well, but I'm feeling a lot better now."
Watch Video Story

Pamela - Psychologist
"Right up until adulthood our brain is continuously changing."
Watch Video Story

Brad - Patient
"When the doctor told me I had a mental illness my first reaction was denial."
Watch Video Story

Maddie - Volunteer
"You can't walk down the hall without at least three people saying hi."
Watch Video Story

Alicia - Staff
"I started working at Ontario Shores two years ago."
Watch Video Story

Sarah - Volunteer
"The patients have taught me more about myself than I have taught them."
Watch Video Story

Sandra - Daughter
"Remember, one phone call can make a difference."
Read Story

Steve - Father
"I started noticing behaviours that just didn’t seem right."
Watch Video Story