Despite suffering from anxiety and depression most of her life, Dani was unaware that her symptoms were actually caused by a treatable mental illness until she sought mental health care for two of her daughters and began to recognize some of the symptoms of their illnesses in herself.
In 2006, Dani suffered a tremendous loss when her oldest daughter, Jenna, took her own life. Despite this tragedy, Dani has persevered in managing her own mental illness and gone on to do tremendous work in the mental health community.
For 15 years, Dani has worked on committees with local hospitals to establish patient, family and provider collaboration. She facilitates the Laing House Family support group and a Strengthening Families Together education program for the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia. In her role as chair of the Feedback and Experience Action Team through Capital Health, Dani is contributing to groundbreaking work that will support a new model of mental health care in Nova Scotia.
“Dani seizes opportunities to make a difference. She emulates patience, optimism and hope. As a provider, I find her a champion of change and an inspiration to all.”
- Cheryl Billard, Capital Health Mental Health Program
Nominators: Myra Donnelly-Gay, Healthy Minds Co-operative & Cheryl Billard, Capital Health Mental Health Program