Pat

Pat’s journey began over 25 years ago when her son started to struggle at 17 years old. Diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 20, Pat’s son began to take medication to alleviate his delusions and the voices in his head. At 23, he experienced a psychotic break while living with his girlfriend and child. Having stopped taking his medication, he began exhibiting erratic and physically destructive behaviour. Police were called to intervene.

Following these events, Pat’s son was admitted to Lakeridge Health where he remained unstable, threatening and aggressive. After assaulting a nurse, he was criminally charged and taken to jail. During court proceedings he underwent two medical assessments, with the second assessment finding him not Criminally Responsible (NCR).

Pat’s son was eventually transferred to the Forensics Program at Ontario Shores, where he was said to be the sickest patient one doctor had seen in 20 years. Pat began to wonder if her son would be living at Ontario Shores for the rest of his life.

Pat’s son spent seven years at Ontario Shores. During the peak of his illness, he did not recognize Pat as his mother, instead believing she was 1,000 years old and from another planet. As her son’s health and medication tolerance fluctuated, he would alternate between medium and minimal security arrangements.

After extensive rehabilitation and treatment at Ontario Shores, Pat’s son now lives in his own apartment, sponsored through the Canadian Mental Health Association, and has regular contact with his Ontario Shores Community Care nurse. He has not been hospitalized in three years.

Pat is 74 years old and has dedicated over 25 years to caring and advocating for her son through his mental health challenges. Coming from English descent, Pat admits that awareness surrounding mental health was "not in the way I was raised." It can be very challenging. For families, there is a profound sense of sorrow, acknowledging that the person they once knew has transformed. Embracing this new reality requires letting go of preconceived aspirations and wishes. And it's often the families who bear the brunt of the consequences.

While searching for answers and maintaining advocacy, Pat asked questions and was active in her son’s treatment. One day a social worker called to ask if she’d help establish a family council. Pat went to her first family council meeting and within five minutes she was the chair of the council– a position she has held for 13 years and continues to hold today.

The stress on caregivers can be overwhelming. It is a life commitment taking care of a loved one who is mentally ill. Nonetheless, Pat advocates for better "customer service" for families and for their inclusion as part of the care team.

“The families know a lot,” says Pat. “We birthed them, raised them, and take care of them when they are released. It’s about the end result. It’s been a learning curve, but the bottom line is Ontario Shores saved a life.”

These are the faces of Ontario Shores. They are mothers like Pat, who has dedicated over 25 years to the care of her son, diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was a young man. At the end of the day, Pat believes Ontario Shores saved her son’s life.