Guest speaker shares mental health journey at Cambrian College event

Mental health advocate speaks at Cambrian College Mental health advocate Mike Shoreman spoke at a Bell Let's Talk event at Cambrian College on Wednesday.

For Bell Let’s Talk Day on Wednesday, Cambrian College brought in a guest speaker, Mike Shoreman, who has had a difficult five years.

First he was diagnosed with a neurological disorder and experienced the resulting disabilities, then he suffered a mental health breakdown.

“I said the typical thing that I hear amongst men who speak about mental health,” Shoreman said.

“‘I’m fine’ or ‘I’m OK.’ But what worked for me was eventually reaching out and seeking that support.”

Shoreman went on to become the first disabled athlete to cross all the Great Lakes on a paddleboard, in the process raising money and awareness about youth mental health.

Now he speaks all across the country, telling his story and encouraging others to seek support if they need it.

“And that they leave here with the idea that they need a small support system and to go be a small support system for somebody else,” Shoreman said.

Volunteer Alina Shashkova said it’s important to help those in need.

“We have to support them,” Shashkova said.

“I am so grateful to Bell because they have a lot of actions, and they create this safety space for people.”

Cambrian College officials were thrilled that Shoreman travelled to Sudbury to speak to students.

“Also that our staff and students and faculty know that it’s OK not to be OK,” said Cambrian’s Alison De Luisa.

“And the resources that we have on campus. And to continue the dialogue around mental health and that we really need to help each other on campus.”