Thread by @shelleyhofer

Today was a big day for @diesel6751 and I. It was also #BellLetsTalk Day. Please read the thread to see how it unfolded...

Derek and I were up at 4am to arrive, in the dark, at @CAMHnews . I was able to join one of the @CAMHResearch doctors, Dr. Daskalakis, for an interview with @JamieGutfreund from @CP24Breakfast. We discussed #rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)...

#BellLetsTalk

Dr. Daskalakis discussed some staggering statistics about #mentalhealth. He said that if 350,000 people were waiting - and not receiving - cancer treatment, there would be an uproar. There are 350,000 people waiting for mental health treatment...

#BellLetsTalk

I then had the privilege of a private meeting with Premier @fordnation, Minister of Health @celliottability , and Minister of Infrastructure @MonteMcNaughton and Dr. Daskalakis...

#BellLetsTalk

Dr. Daskalakis talked about how their extensive research on rTMS has proven it to be a very beneficial treatment. That 1/3 of mentally ill patients don't respond to medication treatment. And that 50% of those treatment resistant patients would benefit from rTMS...

#BellLetsTalk

He made it clear how many people COULD be helped, having them back to work, back to participating in their families - back to life! Imagine how much of the burden could be lifted off of our healthcare system. We need to be more proactive, not reactive...

#BellLetsTalk

He discussed how the treatment itself is portable - the machine can be delivered anywhere. Even to remote locations (Minister @celliottability really responded to this)...

#BellLetsTalk

He surprised them with the fact that #rTMS is widely covered, available and accessible in the US (thank you in part to the research BY @CAMHnews ) and that it's also covered in Quebec and Saskatchewan.

#BellLetsTalk

He talked about the promising use of #rTMS for youth - and how if we can treat them early enough, we might be able to stop the advancement of the illness, and possible stop the progression of suicidal thoughts...

#BellLetsTalk

A novel approach for hard-to-treat depression in youth - A new study combines #rTMS with brain training to treat depression in youth camh.ca/en/science-and…

#BellLetsTalk

He revealed that new research shows incredible promise for #rTMSthetaburst stimulation. The original rTMS treatment that has been around for about 20 years is a 40 minute treatment, the theta burst treatment is delivered in ONLY THREE MINUTES...

#BellLetsTalk

Three-minute version of brain stimulation therapy effective for hard-to-treat depression - Three-minute version of a brain stimulation treatment was shown to be just as effective as the standard 37-minute version for hard-to-treat depression camh.ca/en/camh-news-a…

#BellLetsTalk

I was able to share my own perspective of #rTMS treatment. How I've searched for more than 20 years to find something that worked. Something that gave me my life - and my purpose - back...

#BellLetsTalk

I told them that medications never worked for me. That #ECT (electroconvulsive shock therapy) worked very well, but the memory loss and side effects were significant and catastrophic. I told them I'd do it again if I had to...

#BellLetsTalk

I told them I participated in studies for this 'new' #rTMS treatment as I was hoping there was another answer for me. I said this treatment became my answer. I said I felt grateful to live 'close' to such an incredible research and teaching hospital @CAMHnews...

#BellLetsTalk

I told them that every 7-8 months, I drive 3 hours a day, every day, for six weeks to receive this 3-minute treatment. They were shocked, but they aren't blind to the issues of accessible treatment...

#BellLetsTalk

I told them that #ECT was hard to manage and recover from. I had to organize rides, be there for hours each day to make sure I reacted fine to both the seizure and the anaesthetic I received. Then recovered for days, no, weeks, after...

#BellLetsTalk

It told them how cost saving it would be to treat a new patient every few minutes. That these patients could walk in and out on their own. That they could even potentially do at-home treatments to extend remission time - or possibly even eliminate their illness...

#BellLetsTalk

I told them that with such an 'affordable' and portable treatment, rolling it out across our province, or even our country, would literally be gifting life back to our families, friends and neighbours who are struggling with their mental health.

#BellLetsTalk

I had a private conversation with @fordnation. I told him that I get messages from people all the time who are struggling. Struggling with wait times, with communication between specialists, with advocating...

#BellLetsTalk

Struggling with finding treatment that works, while trying to maintain hope, their jobs, their families, their lives. Struggling with finding appropriate treatment for their teen. Struggling with the loss of their child - who died by suicide...

#BellLetsTalk

I told them that @CAMHnews, Dr. Blumberger, and the #rTMS team, saved my life. Multiple times. And that we need to start making life saving treatment available and accessible...

#BellLetsTalk

For me, today felt very focused on my own struggles and treatment, but I hope I was able to deliver the simple message that we NEED BETTER MENTAL HEALTH CARE. And on that note... good night!

#BellLetsTalk

A giant thank you to the team at @CAMHnews for the invitation and opportunity to share my journey today. I'm truly grateful and hope that maybe it will help someone who is struggling.

#BellLetsTalk @seanomalley32 @ParisSemansky @LoriSpadorcia @jlkbennie