The annual Royal’s Inspiration Awards are a celebration of the incredible contributions being made to the mental health cause. Congratulations to everyone who was nominated and received an award in 2019.
Our recipients this year were:
Ottawa Paramedic Peer Support Team – Transformational
Day and night – first responders are on the frontline of traumatic events, caring and protecting each of us. There is an unimaginable mental toll these experiences inflict on a person. Up until recently, there was minimal support and intervention for first responders who were experiencing a reaction or stress as a result of an incident. Enter the creation of the Ottawa Paramedic Peer Support Team.
Link to the Ottawa Paramedic Peer Support team story…
Chris Nihmey – Personal
By day, Chris was a proud elementary school teacher. Yet, by night, he would alienate himself to survive.
In 2001, Chris was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. No longer was Chris able to hide behind his mask. He resigned from the job he loved and retreated into the dark of his parents’ basement for months; only to leave for doctor’s appointments.
Link to Chris’s story…
Dr. Denis Riordan – Personal
Denis Riordan, Ph.D. aptly describes his journey with helping his daughter as a marathon. In 2016, while residing in Nova Scotia, Denis’ accomplished 30-year-old daughter was unexpectedly diagnosed with schizophrenia. Denis, with no caregiving experience, quickly dedicated himself to helping his daughter. He relocated to Ottawa and became a mental health advocate almost overnight.
Link to Denis’ story…
Gabrielle Eyahpaise – Youth
At the age of 14, Gabrielle was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Left home-bound, and often bed-bound, she began feeling helpless and became suicidal. Gabrielle celebrated both her 17th and 18th birthdays as a patient in the Youth Psychiatry Program at The Royal.
Link to Gabrielle’s story…
Dr. Natalia Jaworska – Young Researcher
For Dr. Natalia Jaworska, science has an important value outside the lab. When she is not busy conducting innovative research to better understand the biological underpinnings of mental illness, Dr. Jaworska is working hard to collaboratively influence change in mental health practice and policy, and de-stigmatize depression and related conditions within society.
Link to Natalia’s story…
Parent’s Lifeline of Eastern Ontario (PLEO) – Community
What began as a chance encounter has flourished to become a critical health care system component. Parent’s Lifeline of Eastern Ontario or PLEO is a parent-led movement and vital service of offering support for parents and families across the Ottawa region.
Link to PLEO’s story…