She was born and raised in Ottawa, where she spent her childhood reading, enjoying the outdoors, and baking. Ellie flew under the radar: she succeeded academically and was involved in many extra-curricular activities, including competitive soccer. On the outside, things were fine, but there was a lurking darkness beneath the surface. Deep down, she had always felt off, and it progressively got worse.
By the spring of 2021, Ellie’s quality of life had significantly diminished. She suffered from severe paranoia, panic attacks, and had an extremely difficult time opening up to those around her. “I stopped being able to do the things that I loved to do. If you can’t do the things that make you happy, then what’s the point?” Ellie recalls.
Overwhelmed by negative feelings, she sought out help. After some unsuccessful attempts at therapy, she was initially referred to CHEO. Over the years, CHEO and The Royal have forged a strong relationship working together to find a treatment plan that best suits the needs of young patients aged 16 to 18. Due to the severity of Ellie’s case, The Royal was the best place for her treatment to begin.
When reflecting on what it was like in those early days of her journey, she says, “When I first came to The Royal – the headspace that I was in, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. I wasn’t living, I was surviving.” Once connected with our team, the trajectory of Ellie’s life changed forever.
Ellie was first connected with The Royal at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. During her treatment, she never actually stepped foot in the building as all of her programming and appointments were held virtually. Despite a lack of in-person services or group activities, she did not feel she was missing out when it came to her care. “The Royal gave me the tools to live a life that suits me,” she says.
Ellie was diagnosed with social anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and started cognitive behavioural therapy and exposure-response therapy. After feeling that something was wrong for so long, but never knowing what it was, receiving a diagnosis was extremely validating.
When asked about who or what particularly resonated with her during her treatment, Ellie was quick to mention her social worker Sara Stewart. Prior to starting her programming with Sara, Ellie often felt alone, isolated, and terrified. She felt like she could not trust anyone and did not know what was real and what was not. Since working through her treatment with Sara, who is now the Manager of Patient Care Services at The Royal, Ellie reflects that she had finally felt listened to, and had the calming reassurance and validation she had needed for so long. “Sara was a trustworthy person that I could turn to when I did not have anyone else,” she says.
For Ellie, what sets The Royal apart is the level of expertise demonstrated by staff and clinicians throughout her journey. Not only was she reassured that she was not alone, but she finally felt understood. She greatly appreciated the staff’s willingness to grasp the details of her situation and work with her to develop solutions that suited her needs. “They said, ‘You’re going to be okay – don’t worry, we’re going to find a solution.’ That’s what made the difference,” says Ellie.
Determined to help others in their mental health journey and give back to the community at The Royal – Ellie joined the Youth Advisory Council. As a patient advisor, Ellie shares her lived expertise to strengthen and improve the youth psychiatry program that changed her life. She wants to show other patients that she is living proof that better is possible. “I didn’t have those examples while I was going through my treatment because of the pandemic,” says Ellie. “So I really want to spread that message that things can and do get better.”
When it comes to Ellie’s progression since her arrival at The Royal, her involvement with the Youth Advisory Council is just the tip of the iceberg. Every opportunity through which she shares her experience challenges her and serves as a powerful reminder of just how far she has come. “When Ellie arrived at The Royal, she was determined to do whatever it took to get better,” says Sara Stewart, who helped oversee Ellie’s therapy. “She faced and overcame numerous challenges, repeatedly sharing her story, and gradually, she flourished. Today, Ellie not only manages her mental health with resilience, but she is also a passionate advocate for improved care at the administrative level. Her journey of recovery has not only transformed her own life but is also driving positive change within the system.”
Since receiving treatment at The Royal, Ellie has been able to get back to doing activities she enjoys. She has picked up new hobbies and gained self-awareness through therapy. The relationships she has with those closest to her are stronger than ever, including with herself. She now feels she can truly relax – which is a sentiment that felt unachievable for a long time. For the first time since she can remember, Ellie has found balance in her life.
Ellie could not be more grateful for her experience at The Royal. Her treatment changed her life, more than she could ever imagined it could. She recalls, “If I hadn’t been connected to The Royal, I would not be the person I am today,” she says. ”I would be a shell of myself.” Now, in her early 20s and attending university, Ellie is thriving and back to doing the things she loves.
