CHRIS NIHMEY
CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH AMBASSADOR, AUTHOR & PRESENTER
2017/2018 FACE OF MENTAL ILLNESS
"I found my purpose beyond illness. That's when transformation began and healing happened. Whether you suffer or support a loved one, I want to help you find your purpose. It all begins with hope and positive change."
Chris Nihmey is an Ottawa-based mental health and wellness advocate, illness survivor, author, motivational speaker, and teacher. He was just awarded the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre 2019 Personal Leader for Mental Health Inspiration Award for all of his hard work and dedication in the mental health field over the last many years. Alongside this special recognition, he received an Ottawa Catholic School Board 2019 Director of Education Commendation Award for his many years of teaching, and his extensive work advocating on mental health and wellness in schools and beyond. In 2018, he had the honour of receiving Ottawa's 2018-2019 Mayor's City Builder Award for his extensive work in mental health in Canada and beyond. In 2017, Chris was selected as a 2017/18 Face of Mental Illness for the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (www.camimh.ca). Chris continues to be an active advocate for Bell Let's Talk by reaching out to destroy stigma and to urge sufferers to speak up early and find the help they need. As he always says, "Prevention is early intervention." As a Canadian Ambassador, he continues to educate, instill change, and increase awareness and understanding of the devastating effects of illness on sufferers and their loved ones.
It was in 2001 that Chris’ life changed forever. “You have Bipolar Disorder”. Shame, fear, and anxiety would emerge, and over the next decade, he would battle for his life against three severe illnesses: Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Health.com, as well as other sources state that "about half of people with bipolar will attempt to kill themselves, and as many as one in five dies by suicide,". Chris has most certainly earned the title of "survivor". Knowing the extreme dangers of stigma in society, for a whole decade, he made a decision to hide his illnesses, living only one side of his life in front of others. He hid behind an unexpected ally, writing, and found hope and healing through words. With unconditional love, encouragement, and support from his Mom and Dad, Chris began to put together a memoir of his difficult journey from darkness to light. With every page, purpose and meaning began to surface. Writing would become the driving force in his healing, motivating him to implement a plethora of innovative mental strategies and techniques that would assist him in regaining a life once lost. Healing does happen, but we must “want” to heal, otherwise we remain frozen in our tracks.
In 2013, Chris released his poignant memoir Two Sides To The Story: Living A Lie. This book has now sold over 5000 copies and is a source of hope and inspiration for sufferers and supporters. He has two other publications that can be found under the section: Books. All three books are published with Chipmunka Publishing in the UK.
TESTIMONIALS
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Trish Turner – Ottawa, ONThank you for writing this book and showing people the hidden side of the mental illness struggle. This book is a must read for everyone! Chris’ opening up of his own struggles with mental illness has enlightened me beyond words. I now have a new understanding of how truly difficult life can be for someone who suffers. No one should have to go through this. It is our responsibility, as human beings, to educate ourselves, and to be supportive of family members, friends, and neighbors who suffer daily. I can’t thank you enough, Chris! May God bless you always on your journey.
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Kevin Stemp, Ottawa“I read your book “Two Sides to the Story: Living a Lie” and couldn’t put it down.”
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Raymond Tremblay, Ottawa, ONI read your beautiful “Sally” and will definitely share it. It is very well written and contains a powerful message – THE INCREDIBLE VALUE OF COMPASSION. Chris is an entertaining and prolific author. I encourage all readers to purchase his two fantastic books. If you want to learn more about mental health and homelessness, these are the books to buy. Pure gems!
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Chris Topper – Ottawa, ON“Sally” was a powerful book! I read it to her last night and we both had tears in our eyes. Wonderful book and message! I wish you success and continued healing.
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Octavia La Prairie – Ottawa, ONMy daughter and I read “Sally” and we loved it! The story was beautiful and the illustrations are breathtaking. She keeps it beside the bed and always says how much she loves it. A few tears were definitely shed! We were so moved by your beautiful book.
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Michelle Neville – Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario, Mental Health ASSIST Lead“Two Sides To The Story: Living A Lie” was really wonderfully written! You have a gift!
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Shawn Hunter – Ottawa, ONI bought “Two Sides To The Story” and read it in just a few days. Wow, what a life you and your parents and sister have lived! You’re all amazing! I then gave the book to my mother-in-law whose son has suffered like you but is afraid to open up, even with family. She read your book and cried and laughed and smiled. I have never bought a book before and enjoyed it so much, and then given it to someone else. You’re so strong for writing it, and sharing your story, and helping not only people who walk in your shoes, but their families and friends. All this to say … thank you, Chris!
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Sean Haughian – Ottawa, ONI want to say thank you for being so brave to share your story, “Two Sides To The Story”. So many people will be touched and benefit from hearing your story. Reading about your giving … inspired me even more. I hope you can give me the chance to give to you. I find it inspiring that even though you have had so much difficulty with things, your attitude and positive outlook on life has always shone through.
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Sandy Mussio – Belleville, ONWhen I started “Two Sides To The Story: Living A Lie”, I couldn’t put it down. What an amazing, incredibly gut-wrenching story it is. I can only imagine what a hard, long and difficult journey this has been for you, but I can’t tell you how proud I am that you had the courage and strength to tell your story and try to change the stigma around mental illness. Every journey begins with one small step and I wish you nothing but success. I will recommend this book to everyone I know, and if it helps one person to seek the help they need or change their attitude about mental illness, your book will have been a success.
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Chantal Robichaud – Montréal, QCLess than 19 hours, minus 8 hours of sleep and an hour or two of getting the kids ready for school and chores around the house. That’s how long it took me to read “Two Sides To The Story”. I was meant to catch-up on household things, but somehow your book called to me … so much for all that “catch-up” I was hoping to accomplish! I cannot even begin to try and capture what your book has meant to me.
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Tanya Curtis – Ottawa, ON“Two Sides To The Story: Living A Lie” has been an engrossing read; your journey is a testament to all that is truly important in each person’s story and how important faith, family, friends and proper health care are so important to each and every one of us. I know that you will make a positive difference in the lives of anyone who is suffering. Your family – your sister, mother, and father are the best example of true love, compassion, and empathy that I have read about.
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Sam Berns – Ottawa, ONI just finished reading “Two Sides To The Story”. I want to tell you I loved it, I loved every page of it. It’s so well written and it’s honest and it’s very touching. It was like every page was competing to get into the story.