Joanne Critch
Peer Supporter Biography
Joanne Critch
689 Topsail Road
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 3Z4
Joanne.critch@servicecanada.gc.ca
709-999-2124
- Group and Level:
- PM-03
- Branch:
- Benefits Delivery Services Branch (BDSB)
- Work Environment:
- Providing Services to Clients within Department
- Language:
- English
- Preferred method of Communication:
- Lync, Email, Telephone
Peer Supporter Identifies As:
- Woman
Areas of Life Experience In Dealing With:
- Depression / Mental health difficulties
- Stress / burnout
Brief Description of Life Experience related to Mental Health:
I’ve been working with Service Canada since 1994, moving between various business lines. Currently I am a BEA and in that role I have the opportunity to assist new EI agents provide quality service to our clients.
I bring with me to the peer supporter role the experiences of having lived with a young family member as they learned to cope with extensive bullying, anxiety, depression, self-harm and finally, a diagnosis of manic depressive and all that that entails. There were many dark days, many scary times but, thankfully she is still here and functioning and there are almost as many days of light now.
I also lost a family member at the young age of 63 to early onset dementia, having watched her deteriorate over a painful 10 year period. The toll this had on our family, the sadness, the helplessness and the anger that comes with it have taught me to be grateful for every day and to live as full and happy a life as is humanly possible.
I have learned on this messy journey that self-care is crucial. Spending time outdoors, sitting by a fire, standing by the ocean and finding joy whenever and wherever possible are the tools I rely on to get me through challenging times.
