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