A City man is using his mental health challenges to help others.
In high school, Derek Haines was struggling with turbulence in his family life when mental health issues surfaced.
Haines tells us he was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and his life became a series of hospital visits, strained relationships and lost possessions.
After several years in a group home and years spent rebuilding his self-esteem with lots of help from loved ones, social workers and doctors.
Haines now lives with a roomate paying bills, rent and holding down a job as a counseller at Peer 126.
Peers Engaged in Education and Recovery provides support to young people living with mental health issues at 126 Duke Street.
