Why the System Failed My Teen and What I’m Doing to Fix It?

Chasing a Better Outcome for Our Kids: Why I Do What I Do

Sometimes, I just want to feel numb. Anything to block out the anger, sadness, or frustration that my world so often feels like. Most people can’t imagine living in it; honestly, I don’t want them to. But those emotions are also why I fight so hard. For my kids, your kids, and all kids.

The truth is the system failed our Maddie. Mental health support is stretched thin, unaffordable for many, and riddled with waitlists that stretch months, even years. Politicians make grand statements about prioritizing mental health, but their actions rarely back up their words. Schools are no better, often touting programs that look good on paper but don’t actually help the students they’re meant to serve.

A few years ago, I attended a mental health conference where Michael Tibollo, then Associate Minister of Mental Health, stood before the crowd and invited attendees to share innovative solutions to address the crisis. His words felt like hope. This was a rare acknowledgment from someone in power that change was needed.

I believed him. I believed that someone in government was finally willing to listen. So, we acted. Our team and I reached out with our How Are You Feeling? Program, a proven initiative that has already changed the lives of several teens. We left messages, sent emails, and even dropped off packages at his office.

And then we waited.

And waited.

Crickets.

I wasn’t a constituent in his riding, but that shouldn’t have mattered. He had asked for ideas, and we had delivered one. Yet the silence was deafening.

Frustration Turned to Determination

Was I angry? At first, yes. Angry at the indifference, the arrogance, and the lack of curiosity or accountability. When eight teenage girls at a prestigious Toronto private school tell you that your program changed their lives, the least you can do is talk about it.

But that anger eventually gave way to determination. Because this isn’t about me or the program. It’s about our kids. It’s about building a system that works, one that doesn’t let down families like mine.

This determination only grew when I learned that 95% of the students at that same school felt their existing mental health programs were inadequate. Schools claim they have solutions in place, but those solutions often fail to meet the needs of the very students they’re meant to support. It’s not enough to tick a box and say, “We’ve got it covered.” We need to listen to the kids and let their voices guide the programs that are supposed to help them.

Why We Need Action Now

The reality is we can’t rely on politicians or school administrators to fix this. Campaign promises and PR statements won’t solve a crisis. Mental health support needs real action, and it needs it today.

There’s an army of parents, parents who have lost their teens or come terrifyingly close, who are fighting for change. This army is growing because more people are realizing the stakes: our kids' lives, futures, and ability to thrive.

Every day we wait is another day kids fall through the cracks. Another day when a child feels like they have nowhere to turn. Another day when families are left devastated by the loss of a life that could have been saved.

We’re in a mental health crisis, and I refuse to sit idly by while our leaders bury their heads in the sand.

Join Us: Be Part of the Solution

Do you think our government and schools work best for our kids? Are you tired of pandering to politicians and school administrators claiming mental health is a priority while little changes?

If you’re ready to be part of an actionable community, sign up now to learn how we create accountability and transparency for our kids. Together, we can tackle the trends pushing more kids toward despair and save lives.

Sign up because the stakes are higher than you may realize. Your child’s future, and possibly their life, depends on it. The time for action is now.

Final Thoughts

I know what it’s like to feel like your brain is working against you. I’ve seen firsthand how systems built to support kids fail them instead. But I also know that change is possible if we demand it, if we fight for it, if we work together to make it happen.

Every child deserves a chance to thrive, and I won’t stop fighting until we build a system that prioritizes their needs. Join me.