"You're not sick enough, you're too sick, you're too old, you're not old enough, you don't have enough money for treatment, there are no beds available, you're going to have to wait." 

Does this sound familiar to you? Do you know a friend or have a loved one who's been told any of these? If so you or they might be one of the 1 out of 5 individuals diagnosed with mental illness. 

Dear Canadian Government,

How many people have to die before you make a change? How many families have to suffer in the dark? People of any gender, age, race, colour, religion, and or size and shape. Will it take for you to realize that people are suffering? That people are dieing on wait lists, that suicide rate in Canada are at an all time high. That our nation deserves better and everyone deserves to be heard. To have access to any mental health treatment when needed instead of turned away. 

My name is Larissa Potma and I am an 18 year old Mental Health Advocate from Mission BC, Canada. Recently it has come to my knowledge that the city of Victoria in BC. Eating Disorder community support service program is being suspended for adults as of January 1, 2022. Reasons being, "A lack of mental health professionals available and an increase in youth referrals since the pandemic." Let me be the first to say "THIS IS YOUR WAKE UP CALL". Yes, indeed mental health is on the rise and only getting worse. So instead of getting rid of needed support to those in need, expand! We need more funding, more therapists, psychiatrists, dietitians, treatment centers for all ages available in all provinces. We need properly educated doctors who are trained for more than the average 1-5 hours in eating disorders which are the deadliest mental health disorder worldwide. We need mental health to be incorporated into our school systems. It's sickening to witness and hear people suffer alone because waitlists are anywhere from weeks to months to years. 

I want you to know that we won't go down without a fight. This next generation is a powerful one, one I'm proud to be a part of that carries hope for a brighter future. We have voices that deserve to be heard, and will be heard.

In failing to act the death toll will only continue to rise. Please listen to us when we say this isn't right, we deserve better! Mental health doesn't discriminate, no one is exempt from being a part of that 1 out of 5.

Join me in my fight to make a change!