I Get it!

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Picture of Cheryl Mouland
Cheryl Mouland
Cheryl Mouland lives in Oshawa, Ontario with her husband Terry and her two children, Abigail and Cameron. She has 3 cats, loves to read and really enjoys the music of Michael Buble.

“ I get it.” Three little words. They don’t seem like much on their own but, when you put them together, they have the potential to change someone’s life.

CherylI heard those words and felt their impact after deciding to talk about my struggle with mental illness. The first time I shared my story, I was terrified. I was afraid of how people would react and that I would be judged and labelled. However, an amazing thing happened. Whenever I spoke about my mental illness, someone would approach me, email me or call me to tell me that they were battling too. They could relate to something I said and, in turn, could reassure me that “they get it.”

I heard those words and felt their impact after deciding to talk about my struggle with mental illness. Share on X

I don’t think I can describe the feeling of relief that poured over me the first time I heard someone say, “Cheryl, I get it.” It was confirmation that I wasn’t alone; that someone else had been in the same darkness, and could relate to how I felt. Those three words became a life line, a connection to someone who actually knew and understood mental illness. It really was a life changing moment.

The challenges of life with mental illness become a little more bearable when you hear someone say, “I get it.” When I’m feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and completely drained of energy, I have a tendency to beat up on myself. I start to list out my failures and shortcomings and my broken brain convinces me that I have utterly failed myself and my family. I feel like the worst wife and mother in the world. That’s when those three words are most powerful. Whether spoken by a friend or a total stranger, those three words always manage to reach me when I need to hear them most. A friend will call to encourage me and remind me that they get it. They get how I’m feeling, they challenge my broken thoughts and keep me from sinking further into depression. My family will surround me with love and encouragement and, help me with day- to- day life. They give me time to rest and tell me I am loved and valued. I’m so blessed and so thankful because I know they get it and that gives me strength to keep fighting.

As a Christian, my strength and comfort come from knowing that my God, who loves me and knows me, gets it too. When I’m crippled by fear and lost in a cloud of depression, I know he’s with me, guiding me through it. He knows my name, my weaknesses and strengths, and has a perfect plan for my life. There are times I wonder why that plan had to include mental illness, but I’m starting to see that he’s able to use my dark moments to work out His plan. He gets it, and because he gets it, I trust him.

When I’m crippled by fear and lost in a cloud of depression, I know he’s with me, guiding me through it. Share on X

In the past, I’ve asked myself if anything good could ever come from my struggles with mental illness. The answer comes with every opportunity to share my story. I share with the hope that someone will hear me say, “I get it” and find the courage to reach out for help.

My own children, in recent years, have both been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. In their moments of frustration and confusion I’ve been able to reassure and support them because I’ve been there too. I can tell them that the darkness and fear won’t last forever. Together, we’re able to challenge the messed up things our broken brains try to tell us. When the anxiety and depression are at their worst, we’re able to give each other practical advice and help because, we get it. We’ve used those three words to help and encourage each other through some really
tough times.

Cheryl-Family_sm

There are still so many who are facing this illness alone because the stigma keeps them from stepping out to find help. More than ever, they need to hear us speaking out, sharing our experiences and letting them know, “we get it.”

I’ll keep talking and doing my part to help shatter the stigma surrounding mental health. Don’t be afraid to reach out. There are so many of us who understand because we’ve been there too.
There is help and there is hope. Trust me, I get it.

I’ll keep talking and doing my part to help shatter the stigma surrounding mental health. Share on X

 

This Broken Brain

 

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Code of Conduct for all Mission Partners of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda

1. Purpose
To provide mission partners with guidelines regarding their expected behaviour while undertaking work on behalf of TSA. The code of conduct states TSA’s commitment to operating in an ethical and legal manner that aligns with TSA’s mission, vision, values and Orders and Regulations. The code of conduct serves as a foundational standard for other conduct-related operating policies.

2. Basic Principles
All mission partners are expected to behave in ways that are aligned with TSA’s mission and values.

2.1. Mission Statement:
The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

2.2. Vision Statement
We are an innovative partner, mobilized to share hope wherever there is hardship, building communities that are just and know the love of Jesus.

2.3. Core Values:
Hope: We give hope through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Service: We reach out to support others without discrimination.
Dignity: We respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth.
Stewardship: We responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us.

3. Conduct Expectations
The code of conduct provides guidelines for mission partner conduct. The code of conduct cannot cover every possible situation; mission partners are responsible for considering each issue in the context of TSA’s mission and values, recognizing that individual conduct may be understood as a reflection of TSA’s values, image, integrity and public trust. If a mission partner is unsure of a situation and needs guidance about their conduct or has concerns about the conduct of another person, they should speak with their supervisor or HR/officer personnel representative.

Mission partners will:
3.1. Comply with TSA policies and procedures.
3.2. Follow all applicable laws and at no time participate in, or assist others to participate in, any illegal, criminal or unethical activities.
3.3. Conduct themselves at all times with honesty, integrity and transparency.
3.4. Perform their defined duties to the best of their ability.
3.5. Treat others, including other mission partners, funders, clients and the public, with respect, dignity, fairness and courtesy.
3.6. Promote and support a work environment that is inclusive of all people and respects their unique abilities, strengths and differences.
3.7. Identify actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest and disclose them to their supervisor to help minimize or eliminate the impact of such conflicts, which could influence or appear to influence their judgment and actions. Refer to GV 01.003 Conflict of Interest policy for additional direction and requirements.
3.8. Collect, use and disclose confidential information only in accordance with TSA policy and applicable privacy laws. Ensure all records, documents and communications are accurate and that privacy is maintained as required by GV
01.009 Privacy.
3.9. Conduct all business, service and ministry activities in a responsible manner, consistent with TSA’s values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship.
3.10. Always strive to create and maintain the highest health, safety, wellness and environmental standards in all facilities and work areas.
3.11. Take every reasonable precaution to protect the safety of oneself and others and report accidents (however minor) and near-misses (accidents that almost happened), risky behaviours, and instances where equipment and/or building
deficiencies could compromise the safety of a workplace.
3.12. Use information technology, including internet and email, in a professional and appropriate manner, in accordance with TSA policy (IT 02.001 Computers and Information Technology Acceptable Use).
3.13. Ensure they are fit to work and able to perform assigned duties as required by their job description safely, satisfactorily and in compliance with HR 10.002 Substance Impairment in the Workplace.

TSA expects mission partners will not:
3.14. Act in a discriminatory, harassing or violent way toward others.
3.15. Use their position in order to gain an advantage over or exploit the vulnerability of others.
3.16. Destroy or take for personal use any items belonging to or safeguarded by TSA without prior written approval.
3.17. Solicit (money or goods) from clients, donors, vendors, contractors or any person in a position to benefit from their association with TSA. Mission partners will adhere to the requirements of HR 04.002 Gifts, Speaking Fees, and Testimonials policy.
3.18. Give the appearance that they are speaking on behalf of TSA when not authorized to do so or engage in any activity that would negatively impact TSA’s reputation, brand or public image, including the use of personal social media
accounts.
3.19. Initiate contact with the media or respond to their inquiries, and instead will refer all media inquiries to their supervisor, their public relations representative or TSA’s communications department.
3.20. Use, abuse or misuse paid time, TSA resources or the equipment assigned to them.
3.21. Misuse their authority, abuse power, act irresponsibly, retaliate against someone who reports misconduct or exclude others from workplace events.

4. Officers: Orders and Regulations
In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the code of conduct and Orders and Regulations, the latter shall take precedence.

5. Violation of the Code
If a mission partner believes the law, the code of conduct or TSA’s policies may have been violated or are about to be violated, they should inform their supervisor or report their concern through the Whistleblower hotline (see GV 01.008 Whistleblower policy).

Violation of the code of conduct is a serious matter and could result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.