Season Two. Episode Nine (part 2 of ep 8) - featuring Crystal Pinnock

After a traumatic experience leading to severe depression,
Crystal was diagnosed with Bi-polar Disorder by her psychiatrist.
A year after the diagnosis,Crystal had a near death experience
that led to her decision to take her mental illness and mental
health seriously. Almost four years later after almost being shot
to death at the U.S border by police, Crystal launched - Mental
Health Speaks Out and is a motivational speaker on mental health
awareness, and the importance of the removing the veil of shame
that has stigmatized mental illness. When Doctors told Crystal
and her family that she will never be able to attain a degree -
because of her mental illness....Crystal defied the odds placed
against her and is now a recognized and honoured facilitator who
works alongside the Durham Regional Police Service as a trainer
on how to: communicate with persons experiencing mental health
crises, identify issues related to stigma, recognize the role of
the family, access mental health services and issues related to
the use of force.





Crystal was awarded for her radio show, Mental Health Speaks Out
on Riot Radio at Durham College which talks about mental health
and is inclusive of professionals and organizations in the
community such as; Durham Mental Health Services, Canadian Mental
Health Association, Durham Regional Police Service-Mental Health
Unit, Naturopathic Doctors, Nutritionist, Women’s Resource
Counseling Centre of Durham etc.





Crystal has spoken at Colleges and Universities, as well as
churches, even libraries and multiple events across the GTA. Her
work in the community as led her to being awarded the Starter
Company Grant from the Business Advisory Centre of Durham.
Pinnock is now studying to become a Mental Health Pastor and has
recently completed a Bachelor of Science degree from Oakwood
University and is working as a Mental Health Evangelist. Crystal
is proactively working on a book about her life and her journey
with mental health. Her goal is to eradicate the stigmas about
mental illness especially in the Black community.





Find her:


Youtube - Mental Health Speaks Out


Twitter - @mentalhealthbee


mentalhealthspeaksout@gmail.com


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