PERHAPS A GIFT VOUCHER FOR MUM?: MOTHER'S DAY
Kaden Pope (they/them) grew up Dawson Creek, BC, located in northern British Columbia with their Mom, Dad and two older siblings. Kaden left the north shortly after high school and moved around BC, until calling Vancouver, Canada home. Their mental health journey started early, but due to lack of resources in the North, help was hard to find. They began self harming at age 11 and struggled with depression until things took a turn for the worse. At the age of 23, Kaden began experiencing psychosis and paranoia. Over the next 10 years they would be in and out of hospitals, group homes and transitional housing - struggling to find stability. At their worse, Kaden spent over 10 months in hospital out of a 12-month period. They have been certified under the Mental Health Act many times, because they were deemed a danger to themself. They struggled with intense catatonia, psychosis, self harm and suicidal urges. Kaden slowly started improving with the support of family, friends, weekly therapy, medication, ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) and an inner drive to want to get better. Kaden now works at a local community college, supporting students with disabilities to learn how to use Assistive Technology. Kaden still struggles daily with depression and psychosis but has found ways to cope and has built a life worth living. This is Kaden's first book of poetry and photography, and they are excited to share their unique look into mental illness with the world.
