Before coming to the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Audace lived in complete isolation, overwhelmed by crippling anxiety. He had cut ties with his family and friends, choosing solitude over an outside world that had become unbearable. “I didn’t want to leave my house. I stopped talking to people.” Then came a turning point.
“One day, I decided I had had enough. I couldn’t keep living like this, so I reached out to my family for help. Just hours later, I was hospitalized at the Institute.”
A Life-Changing Encounter
At the Institute, Audace met Dr. Todorov, a psychiatrist who gained his trust from the very first session.
“He really listened to me. After just a few minutes, I felt safe. I knew I was in good hands.”
Dr. Todorov quickly introduced him to Janine Casimir, a nurse specializing in young adult mental health. This connection proved to be just as transformative. “Janine invited me to join a program focused on artistic activities. I immediately built a strong bond of trust with her.”
Reinventing Himself Through Art
Through theater workshops—an activity he had never considered before and funded by the Foundation—Audace began to rediscover himself. “I learned to trust others, to integrate into a group, and to fully commit to a project.”
When he was ready to leave the Institute and live independently, the Foundation supported his transition by providing essential items and furniture for his new apartment, ensuring a dignified new start.
A Transformed Life
Today, Audace radiates confidence and passion. He has discovered a new love for music, an art form that perfectly mirrors his name and personality. Through melodies and lyrics, he expresses his journey and celebrates how far he has come.
“The person I was before starting this program no longer exists. Thanks to the Foundation, the Institute, and the people I met there, I was able to come back to life.”
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