S5:E39 - Randi-Lee Bowslaugh: Mental Health in Children

My guest today is Randi-Lee Bowslaugh. Randi-Lee was born and raised in Ontario, Canada, and from a young age, she had a passion for helping others. As a teenager, she started writing poetry that would eventually become her first published book (Thoughts of a Wanderer). Her writing became her coping mechanism while depression was starting to take over her life.

 

After high school, she attended Niagara College and graduated at the top of her class in Community and Justice Services. Though college had seen more good days than bad depression was still very present in her life.

 

Post-graduation she worked in the social services field for nearly six years before deciding that it was no longer her passion. During this time, she was discovering the joy of kickboxing and became a competitive fighter. She competed internationally on Team Canada twice. Eventually, turning into a coach and personal trainer.

 

In 2018 she battled cancer and came back with a mission to break the stigma of mental health. Having been battling her own will to continue living she realized that though she had depression, depression didn’t have her.

 

As a mother to two teenagers, her youngest has autism, she has also experienced feeling helpless to help. Randi-Lee has been through hospital visits and breakdowns with her youngest who has severe anxiety and depression. A question that he continues to ask is “Mom why can’t I be normal?”

 

Not having an answer to this Randi knew that it was time to stand up and speak out. She created the Write or Die Show to empower others to embrace themselves, their struggles, and all. To show that, though mental health is present in many, lives it doesn’t need to ruin your life and we should support each other not break us down.

 

You can find out more about Randi-Lee at rbwriting.ca and writeordieshow.ca.

 

Show Notes:

• Websitse: rbwriting.ca and writeordieshow.ca
• Autism Ontario
• Keep Notes or Journal for Your Child's Behavior to Discuss with Your Physician:
• A - Action
• B - Behavior
• C - Consequences
• Psychologist Locator Powered by the American Psychological Association (APA)
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Finder Powered by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
• Find a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist Powered by the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive therapies