CATCA 2025

My message is about the power of choice in building resilience and finding joy while living through adversity. I share a powerful journey as the spouse of an RCMP police officer, who faced the loss of my first husband who was killed in the line of duty during my maternity leave with our 8-month-old, and who now supports my second husband as he deals with PTSD from his service, as well as a child who lives with OCD, and a breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 44 that lead to a double mastectomy last year. As a teacher turned RCMP leadership and mental health curriculum design specialist, I became a mental health champion and advocate. I share insights on overcoming traumatic grief, navigating mental health challenges within a family, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. I’m dedicated to fostering resilience, reducing stigma, and showing that joy can coexist with pain, emphasizing the power of choice in our decision making.