For years, as long as I can remember my cousin and best friend has fought demons that most people will never understand. 

I can understand how some people get lost, forgotten and even sometimes fall through the cracks of the Mental Health System. The system itself is beyond confusing, there seems to be a double standard even for Doctor's and nurses. She has fought for proper treatment for years. She has been told 'You look too well put together to have any MH problems.' 'You have brought this on yourself.' She has had Doctor after Doctor look at her and discharge her as a patient because they are at a loss of what to do anymore. She has been a personal human lab rat with medications and has had some pretty wild side effects.

In 2019, She was finally accepted and welcomed into the Sudbury ECT treatment. It saved her life and I am so grateful for that. She will always admit that, however, it also caused a lot of flash backs and so much anxiety that it was becoming not worth the stress. The covid pandemic hit and the ECT was closed as a result. So, again she took things into her own hands and fought for alternatives. They found a Clinic in Sudbury (again) that was offering (uncovered) treatment. Without hesitation, she traveled to and from Sudbury for 2 years. Her husband was unable to work because of this, the uncertainty in her children's eyes every time she had to leave was heartbreaking. She didn't have a choice, she had to fight for them, for her husband and herself.

In 2021, they made the best decision they had ever made. They relocated closer to family, support and love. Treatment has been moved toThunder Bay for a little over a month now, and guess what?! It is covered! How perfect is this?! So, she jumped into this of course. Yet again, She has to leave her children, but the result is so worth it because this treatment works! One day they will understand this.  

She travels to Thunder Bay weekly to receive intra-muscular Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) treatment. It has been such a remarkable, mind opening experience. This kind of treatment has been beyond life saving for my cousin and her family.

Come March 1st, our government has decided to remove coverage for this treatment. Our PM has decided to have each session now cost almost 400$.  Why is MH such a grey area? Why are those who suffer shamed? Why is it that when someone loses their battle people finally step up and want to suddenly care? Why can't we care now? How many others have to lose their battle for this disease to be taken seriously?! We are terrified for March. I’m terrified for her family, for herself. I am one of the lucky few who has such an amazing supportive loving welcoming family. Her husband has never left her side, he has fought for her, he has been told to leave and walk away because this is 'who' she is. This man has not been given enough praise for what he does daily, the sacrifices he has made. Her children need their Mama, healthy and KAP treatment is keeping her healthy. Things need to change. Too many people suffer in slience because of results like this. Its defeating, makes you feel unworthy, and at times you start to believe that you are so unfixable.

Please take a stand and petition for this treatment to continue to be covered by OHIP! Why? Because mental health matters. Lives matter. My cousins life matters and so does everyone else who is succeeding with this treatment.