Cheyenne Cloutier

Rather than let mental illness hold her back, Cheyenne Cloutier is determined to use her experiences as motivation to better her community. From a young age, Cheyenne has been familiar with the deep impact mental illness can have on one’s life. Having grown up without the support and tools she needed, Cheyenne felt strongly that no one else should be in her position.

“My struggles have pushed me to want to do better,” says Cheyenne, “I will be someone that people can rely on and I will make a difference in people’s lives.” Cheyenne is now in her final year at Durham College where she is enrolled in the Social Service Worker program. After having witnessed someone close to her struggle with drug addiction and alcoholism, Cheyenne hopes to continue her post-secondary education in the field of Mental Health and Addictions.

In the face of adversity, Cheyenne has always chosen resiliency and is inspired to make a difference in her community.

Dean Wesley

When Dean Wesley was merely six years old, he and his family witnessed the sudden death of his father. Following the tragedy, Dean’s family life felt the impact of various mental illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

As a competitive soccer player of 15 years, Dean credits his resiliency to sports. In them, he found the peer support, optimism, respect, and confidence he needed to succeed. Off the field, Dean could be found volunteering as a Special Olympics coach or serving as a teen representative on the board of The Flying Project, an adapted recreational activity for individuals with disabilities. Through his volunteer work, Dean is able to combine his passion for athletics with his drive to better his community.

To Dean, “it is so clear that physical activity can help combat mental health problems.” In September, he started his Bachelor of Kinesiology/Recreation and Sport Studies at the University of New Brunswick. Dean aspires to eventually use his degree to create new community programs as he believes “people with mental health challenges need to feel a connection, support, and a guide so they don’t have to walk the path by themselves.”