Consumer Profile

Doreen Forde, Consumer/Survivor

Doreen was working in Civil Services for more than 10 years before she had to take leave due to her mental illness. She was under the care of different psychiatrists and support programs.

She came to Across Boundaries and has been with the centre for four years and has accessed case management and support programs. Doreen feels encouraged by the programs at Across Boundaries and sees herself ready to look at other job options.

Doreen sees herself as a survivor who experienced bouts of severe depression. In her path to recovery, she feels that her religious beliefs played a vital role. As a survivor of color, she found that having peers and staff from her own cultural/racial background helped in sharing and learning skills that aided in her recovery. She felt that the holistic approach in dealing with one's recovery was available at Across Boundaries.

Today, Doreen is confident in joining the workforce and also in contributing to the mental health community in sharing her experiences and bringing changes that will better the lives of individuals with serious mental illness or mental health problems. She is active in making presentations on issues affecting survivors of color and has participated in consultations affecting lives of Consumer/Survivors.

She was one of the active participants in the Leadership/Advocacy Program at Across Boundaries and she feels that information, knowledge, skills development and sharing helped in her recovery.

Doreen was a panelist in the conference, Making Gains: Research, Recovery & Renewal in Mental Health & Addictions at Niagara Falls on September 30, 2003. She shared her journey to recovery and the role the Leadership/Advocacy Training in Across Boundaries played in the process.