by Michele Sparling | Nov 20, 2018 | awareness, coping, mental illness
Hello to all the teams from Shine Out! Shout Out! 2018,Where to start ….In my email of September 9th I talked about how the Shine Out! Shout Out! tournament is a day with filled with many emotions from all that the day brings, and how this year it... 
by Michele Sparling | Nov 10, 2016 | coping, mental illness, transition-aged
As a parent of a transition-aged youth (TAY), you know, the age between being a teen and being a full-fledged adult, it can be difficult to stand back and watch as your child deals with life in all its harshness and lessons. This is a time when they head out on their... 
by Michele Sparling | Apr 7, 2016 | anxiety, awareness, mental illness
Some days are hard; some days feel impossible.Even when you are doing so much right.Even when you are shining so brightly.Even when the world is filled with possibility.Deep inside, that little voice sings out its nagging song that makes you feel that you are not good... by Michele Sparling | Mar 31, 2016 | awareness, mental illness
There are times when I think Mental Health is moving forward, that the walls of stigma are breaking down, that people are more open and then I see. read, or hear something that makes me think, “Yeah, maybe, but the sun is not yet shining as brightly as we... by Michele Sparling | Mar 1, 2016 | anxiety, awareness, coping, depression, mental illness, transition-aged
Rachel is one of our original youth team members with Shine Out! Shout Out! And has been a part of our team for the past 3 years. We are proud to see Rachel continuing to raise awareness around mental health and stigma while attending university through... by Michele Sparling | Nov 17, 2015 | awareness, compassion
Our compassion and concern for our fellow man must go beyond the headline that makes news – we are all part of humanity – so why does one story make more news than another, why is one life more important than another? Because we can relate more? Because it... by Michele Sparling | Nov 11, 2015 | awareness, mental illness, ptsd
We had heard this song before but had not seen the picture compilation video. Hometown Battlefield was written by Nova Scotia singer / songwriter JP Cormier. The video JP put together was with the contributions of the families and friends whose loved ones served in... by Michele Sparling | Nov 5, 2015 | awareness, mental illness, transition-aged
Life can be difficult for a youth / young adult. It is a time of many changes for this group. Developing relationships, creating an identity, establishing values, moving from secondary to post-seconadry schools or a vocation, becoming independent – all part... by Michele Sparling | Sep 14, 2014 | awareness, coping, depression, mental illness, transition-aged
In Canada, according to Partners for Mental Health, 762 young people die every year because of suicide. Considering there are 4000 suicides (10 people per day) in Canada across all age groups (children to seniors) – & suicide at any age is sorrowful –... by Michele Sparling | May 8, 2014 | awareness, compassion, mental illness
I call it a demon because it is – it is called Darkness and it envelopes all. It reaches out and encircles not only the child, but also the family, and the friends. It gleefully grabs at the years of youth that should be filled with laughter, friends, and... 