For much of his youth and early adulthood, Adam Dion lived with symptoms he didn’t yet understand. Growing up in the GTA, he frequently heard voices and struggled with intense feelings of paranoia.
“It was just all the time, like screaming in my head. Or like someone speaking very negative,” he said. “I didn’t really know what was going on. I was drinking a lot and doing drugs and stuff, and I thought that’s what was causing it.”
Adam spent time in various hospitals and at one point moved into a group home. At 21, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. It was a turning point that brought clarity, but also underscored the challenges he would continue to face. Now 52 and living in Midland, Adam acknowledges his illness has made his path more difficult and complicated than most people’s — even with the love and support of his wife of 28 years.
When they moved to Midland about 20 years ago, Adam sought support from Waypoint’s Outpatient Services. It didn’t take long for him to feel the impact.
Waypoint was very helpful. Outpatient Services was great — I saw a doctor and got my blood work done, I saw a social worker, a psychiatrist. We discussed what was going on and how to get better.
Adam
This co-ordinated, person-centred approach helped Adam not only manage his symptoms, but also regain some confidence. He has also benefited from Waypoint At Home program, a community program that provides patients with care after discharge from hospital: “They were very helpful with my recovery,” he said. “They helped me with bathing , exercising. They made me feel comfortable.”
He continued his recovery journey with additional support from the Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) of the Canadian Mental Health Association Simcoe County.
The difference has been profound, and Adam says he doesn’t like to think about what would have become of him without the assistance he has received from Waypoint and ACTT.
I’d probably be in hospital. I’m definitely much better today. Life is easier to manage.
Today, Adam works part-time as a cleaner at Waypoint’s HERO Centre, where he spends Tuesday and Thursday mornings mopping floors and cleaning doors. The environment, he said, has been another positive influence: “Everyone there has been very helpful.”
When asked what he would say to someone who is struggling and unsure where to turn, Adam doesn’t hesitate — he would encourage them to connect with Waypoint’s Outpatient Services, where he hopes they would find the same support that helped him move from crisis toward stability.
Your feelings are real and valid. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength. You’re Not Alone.
Winter months can intensify mental health challenges, especially in colder regions of Central and Northern Ontario. If you’re struggling, support is available—confidential, local, and here when you need it.