By J.M. LEE
An extensive history of working with elected government officials and serving on various positive community initiatives, has led me to truly appreciate life as a journey, not a destination. The work I do today is my meaning and purpose.
My healing journey has enabled me to support others non-judgementally and compassionately. I accepted my struggles and worked diligently to address them, enabling me to assist individuals in living their best lives and connecting with their authentic selves.
There is no greater joy for me than seeing individuals struggling with addiction or mental health challenges finally find joy and peace in their lives. I’m grateful to witness firsthand families heal, children having their fathers back, parents reunited with their children & renewed relationships with loved ones.
As a certified Recovery Coach, I support individuals in identifying and addressing barriers, developing plans that cater to their unique needs, and connecting them with resources to help them achieve their recovery goals. The vast majority of the time, mental health issues and addictions are concurrent challenges. An integral part of my journey has been the incorporation of mindfulness, meditation, and self-care practices into my daily life. Having received training in various mindfulness modalities, including Mindfulness- Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), I’m able to share these practices with hundreds of individuals.
For many individuals, it starts with being vulnerable, learning to manage reactions rather than suppress emotions, and developing self-love. In his book Man’s Search for Meaning, Victor Frankl states that between stimulus and response, there exists a space, and in that space, we have the power to choose our response.
When someone is deep in their struggles, they resist feeling emotions and sometimes numb themselves with harmful coping mechanisms and substances. Addressing past traumas is critical to moving forward in anyone’s healing journey. In my work, I will identify and incorporate the necessary support for individuals, which may include but is not limited to counseling, nutrition and physical wellness, mindfulness, treatment options, and community connections.
Too many people are struggling in silence. Ego, pride, shame, and community or cultural conditioning prevent individuals from opening up and seeking the support they need in their darkest hours. Our community stakeholders must continue to unite to break the stigma surrounding mental health and addictions. Connection is vital; genuine relationships make one feel safe and supported. I’m grateful to be part of an army of brothers who are always there to support, uplift, and inspire those in need. We have fun, we laugh, we share when we’re struggling, and we can simply be ourselves – at times, that’s all one needs.
My experience working as a Case Manager/ Group Facilitator at Together We Can (TWC), the largest non-profit addiction and mental health treatment center in Canada, has enabled me to interact closely with clients’ families and their employers. This role has brought a profound recognition of the need to support the loved ones of struggling individuals. Too often, families find it difficult to understand a loved one’s addiction, and fall into the trap of co-dependency, and developing unhealthy boundaries. Part of our work also involves connecting families with the necessary support they might need, such as counseling and support groups. Additionally, I am proud to serve as a board member of the South Asian Community Hub (SACH), which offers wrap-around services for individuals and families confronting health and social challenges. It truly takes a village.
For anyone struggling out there, you are never alone. You may think there is no hope, but I’m here to tell you that nothing is permanent, not even our struggles. I learned that I needed to step out of my comfort zone, accept my challenges, ask for help when needed, and be willing to put in the necessary work to improve my life. By confronting our demons, we can move forward by developing a growth mindset—and become unstoppable in pursuit of our goals. Finding purpose in life and being able to help others is truly a gift. If you or a loved one is struggling, please contact me anytime at 604 401 3640 or [email protected]
