What an Honour!

I was honoured to receive the GEM Lifetime Achievement Award from CMHA Durham on November 7. The award was for Mental Health Advocacy.

It is amazing to be honoured for work that is such a joy to me. I have been very fortunate to choose a career that has really never felt like work. As you may know, I do enjoy working with people who have a mental health diagnosis. Everyone can achieve their level of Recovery. This so often means not allowing yourself to be defined by a diagnosis, but by your talents and strengths.

I am also proud of some of the systemic work I have done in partnership with People with Lived and Living Experience and with other colleagues. Together we have made sure Service Users voices are front and centre in all planning, implementation and evaluation work.

I “retired” from Ontario Health this past March and have been working in Private Practice. What a joy! Working as a private practitioner has always been my dream.

In any case, my work is not done yet, and I will continue to do it as long as I love it. I hope this will be a very long time.

Blessings

Jai

Jai Mills M.S.W. R.S.W.