One of the things Donna Bowyer enjoyed while working in the mental health field in Moose Jaw was interacting with clients and watching them grow after witnessing their early struggles.
“I’m so proud of them and so happy when I see them because instead of, when they first start struggling with an illness, they don’t see the hope of recovery,” Bowyer said. “Once they’re in recovery, they can’t imagine every going back to what it was like before.
“They accomplish so much.”
Seeing those accomplishments is another reason why Bowyer worked so long in the field. However, after 28-and-a-half years as Moose Jaw’s branch director for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), she decided it was time to step down. She did so on June 20.
It was time to retire, Bowyer laughed. She thought now was the best time to hand the reins to someone else; in this case, to Nema Atsu. Bowyer wanted to spend more time with her grandchildren, while there were several projects she wanted to pursue.
“There are so many things. I’d like to finish what I started,” she chuckled. “I never seem to get anything finished.”
Bowyer wants to work on more crafts, while she also wants to travel more, particularly to Africa. Her husband is from Ghana and they also have a house there.
However, Bowyer won’t fully step away from the CMHA. She will continue to serve as the director of training and education for the CMHA’s Saskatchewan Division, on a part-time basis. She has held this role for 15 years.
As the branch director in Moose Jaw, she looked after the peer-support program, designed for people who have mental illness and are in recovery or are just beginning their recovery.
“When you have mental illness, it’s nice to talk with somebody who really does get it,” Bowyer said. “They understand what you’re going through, and they’re in recovery, so they also know how to get out of it.”
What Bowyer noticed the most during her three decades as branch director is the attitude change toward mental illness. She noticed that people who interacted with those with mental health challenges accepted them more and acknowledged them as people.
“When I started, people with mental illness were almost cocooned,” she continued. They were isolated and protected from being hurt again. Now, they are part of the community and work and enjoy life.
What Bowyer wants to see is more recognition of the value of peer supporters. She wants it understood that people with mental illness can contribute and be a valuable part of recovery for others.
More recognition is also required that recovery happens in the community, she added. People go to hospitals when they’re in crisis, but followup support is found in the community. Friends and family can assist in the recovery process.
“Medication is important, but the other part is just as important,” Bowyer said.
Bowyer will focus on education and training at the provincial level with the CMHA. She is also excited about a program being developed called recovery college or wellness centres. Based on models operating throughout Canada, these programs will teach people to learn coping skills for recovery and to stay healthy.
Bowyer had high praise for Atsu taking over as branch director. Atsu volunteered with the branch in high school. She recently returned from Calgary after working for several years in the mental health field. Bowyer is looking forward to the new ideas and energy Atsu will bring.
“I’m excited in the direction the branch is going to go,” Bowyer added.
