Mental illness makes almost every day a difficult one for those suffering from it. Like a chronic disease or physical disability, it’s always there—at work, during leisure time, when you’re interacting with loved ones or friends. It shapes and sometimes destroys hopes and dreams. In some cases, it can be “controlled” with a healthy lifestyle, medication, therapy or, usually, a combination of all of these methods. When it turns out to be serious, mental illness can lay waste to most of your life. And when it’s not as serious, it still ruins part of it, often leading to breakups, job loss, financial difficulties, depression and even premature death.

I’ve seen mental illness up close—too close, I’d say, having been saddled with it for as long as I can remember. I was just a sad child and a depressed teenager and adult… until I was diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder, a “minor” mental illness that caused me many problems and spoiled much of my life. It’s such a small and insidious condition that it is nearly invisible to ordinary people and even health care specialists, but it’s still a ball and chain that the afflicted person must drag behind them almost every day. It’s terrible to think that such a “minor” illness can do so much damage, clinging to a person’s heart and mind like a tumour of the soul.

That was my motivation for founding La Fondation Compagnom to promote the well-being of people with mental health problems and those who support them. The foundation also aims to promote better mental health through prevention and personal development initiatives.

To make a modest but unique contribution to the well-being of people who are ill, their loved ones and all of society.

Serge Choinière

president-fondatueur