“I was facing toxic relationships, a toxic workplace, I had family issues. Personally I didn’t know how to cope with it. Everyone around me said that it was just fine, it’s all in your head. Even my doctors would not diagnose me – I felt very rejected by the system,” said Kathy, an individual receiving services from the Access to Resources and Community Supports (ARCS) partnership.
Kathy sought help from her family doctor and university school councilors, but didn’t get the answers she was looking for. Her case manager, David, said that, “often people don’t get taken seriously, especially young women, in the mental health system. It’s a systemic issue. That’s just been my experience. But the pain and trauma Kathy was feeling was real.”