Helping to heal

“I was surprised when I got the call,” smiles Chris Boyd. “I never expected it and I could hardly believe it.”

The unexpected call was from the Governor General’s office of Canada. Chris was given the exciting news that she was one of this year’s recipients of the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, Canada’s highest honours for volunteerism.

“It’s very humbling to receive this award,”  says Chris Boyd. “To know that the work you do makes a difference and is being recognized feels incredible.” 

The Governor General Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers recognizes the exceptional volunteer achievements of Canadians from across the country and pays tribute to their dedication and commitment. It is the highest honour for volunteer service that an individual can receive within the Canadian Honours System.

For the past fifteen years, Chris has served as a volunteer at Parkwood Institute’s Mental Health Care Building. As a member and Co-Chair of the Mental Health Care Family Council, Chris was nominated for the award by her peers. The council is made up of family members working in partnership with the hospital to ensure quality care for relatives living with a mental illness. 

Among numerous contributions to the council, Chris was instrumental in helping to create and teach a program called the Family Education Course in support of patients and their families. The purpose of the course is to educate family members, help them better understand and navigate the mental health care system, and connect them to appropriate community resources as needed.

“Both my children have had ongoing mental health challenges,” explains Chris. “I have insight from different points of view and can share some of my own personal experiences.”

Chris, a retired teacher, also has lived experience with mental health and is currently an outpatient at Parkwood Institute. She also volunteers as a member of the Patient Council, which provides a voice for the ongoing improvement of the quality of care for people receiving mental health care services at Parkwood Institute.

“Volunteering for the council and working with families to help them cope and better understand what their loved ones may be going through has been very rewarding. It also helps me to heal in return,” she adds. 

“Chris has wholeheartedly given of her time, efforts and energy volunteering in mental health programs to help families and patients for over fifteen years,” says Laurel Lamarre, Family Liaison at St. Joseph’s. “Her dedication is enormously appreciated and words alone cannot express how grateful we are for all her contributions and accomplishments. She is certainly deserving of this award.”

Chris officially received her award at a ceremony at St. Joseph's Parkwood Institute Mental Health Care Building on Oct. 6, 2022. While she could have chosen to accept her medal during a presentation in Ottawa, Chis chose to celebrate surrounded by friends, family and coworkers – in the building that has both helped her to heal and reignited her continued passion for mental health advocacy.

“I feel very fortunate to be able to give back, “ adds Chris. “And truly honoured to receive this award.”