04/28/2026
Have we ever told you the story of MiND-AIDās first client?
Ray is the first young person we supported with finding mental health services, and his story is a reason why we are doing our Radiothon fundraiser with Hunters Bay Radio this Friday.
āWith support from an old high school teacher, I became MiND-AIDās first client. After much encouragement, I met with Jody, despite my distrust of service workers and lack of any hope. We conversed for 2+ hours in Muskoka chairs on the porch where the teacher provided cookies and comfort until I felt safe with Jody.
I am a survivor of prolonged childhood s**ual abuse and s**ual a***ult, which left me extremely untrusting. MiND-AID met me where I wanted and over time helped me discover my untreated Complex PTSD, severe social anxiety, depression and ADHD. Before that I was so afraid of the systems that wouldnāt accommodate for my needs that I turned to self harm and substance use, later leading to the loss of my job and s*icidal behaviors. I found myself not having secure housing and couch-surfing as well.
When MiND-AID finally swooped in, my life was chaos. I had to start therapy relearning emotions. My mental health needs were not being met along with my physical health needs. I didnāt have a doctor or care for my heart condition, or treatment for my severe gender dysphoria. That all changed and little by little I received the cures I always needed. MiND-AID connected me with countless services while meeting any accommodation I needed.ā
Over a couple of years of walking alongside Ray every step of the way at his pace, in communication with a coordinated group of providers, we got him connected with a nurse practitioner and doctor, addictions counsellor, social services, financial support, housing info, tax help, ODSP, legal support, peer support workers, a psychologist for assessment, therapists (and funding to cover the cost) for over 40 sessions to treat ADHD and trauma.
Ray is no longer a client of MiND-AID. He is not using substances or self-harming, he is not overwhelmed by depression or suicidal. His diagnoses are being managed, he is securely housed and he has medical support.
He is a board member of MiND-AID now and the chair of MYVoice - our new Youth Advisory Committee. He writes beautifully, is actively discovering his Indigenous heritage, supports his fellow committee members and has many goals for helping to improve care for other young people in Muskoka, as well as a plan to study and work in social services to help others.
And guess what? Heās buying his first house on the day of the Radiothon!
Ray is one of over 2000 young people we have helped since 2020. When we go live on Hunters Bay Radio this Friday, we hope youāll think of young people like Ray. So much can change for a young person when they have the mental health services and resources they need.
