SHOW / EPISODE

Season Two. Episode Nine (part 2 of ep 8) - featuring Crystal Pinnock

25m | Nov 9, 2020

After a traumatic experience leading to severe depression, Crystal was diagnosed with Bi-polar Disorder by her psychiatrist. A year after the diagnosis,Crystal had a near death experience that led to her decision to take her mental illness and mental health seriously. Almost four years later after almost being shot to death at the U.S border by police, Crystal launched - Mental Health Speaks Out and is a motivational speaker on mental health awareness, and the importance of the removing the veil of shame that has stigmatized mental illness. When Doctors told Crystal and her family that she will never be able to attain a degree - because of her mental illness....Crystal defied the odds placed against her and is now a recognized and honoured facilitator who works alongside the Durham Regional Police Service as a trainer on how to: communicate with persons experiencing mental health crises, identify issues related to stigma, recognize the role of the family, access mental health services and issues related to the use of force.


Crystal was awarded for her radio show, Mental Health Speaks Out on Riot Radio at Durham College which talks about mental health and is inclusive of professionals and organizations in the community such as; Durham Mental Health Services, Canadian Mental Health Association, Durham Regional Police Service-Mental Health Unit, Naturopathic Doctors, Nutritionist, Women’s Resource Counseling Centre of Durham etc.


Crystal has spoken at Colleges and Universities, as well as churches, even libraries and multiple events across the GTA. Her work in the community as led her to being awarded the Starter Company Grant from the Business Advisory Centre of Durham. Pinnock is now studying to become a Mental Health Pastor and has recently completed a Bachelor of Science degree from Oakwood University and is working as a Mental Health Evangelist. Crystal is proactively working on a book about her life and her journey with mental health. Her goal is to eradicate the stigmas about mental illness especially in the Black community.


Find her:

Youtube - Mental Health Speaks Out

Twitter - @mentalhealthbee

mentalhealthspeaksout@gmail.com



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