Forest City Comicon selects mindyourmind as charity of choice

I remember waking up on the couch one Christmas Eve, more than 10 years ago now. My mom was silently weeping while my sister comforted her. They thought I was asleep and all I heard was “I didn’t think she would make it”.

10 years ago I was 16. 10 years ago my world was very different, very dark and bleak. I had severe test anxiety and was prescribed a slew of medication to help me cope. No one encouraged me to talk, everyone wanted me to swallow. It was easier to listen to them and scary to reach out so I never did. As weeks went by, I became ill. The pills caused headaches, nausea and worst of all, depression. I began to lock myself up. I was ashamed. I was responsible after all. And weak; I couldn’t handle something as simple as a test so I tried harder in school and cried harder at home.

I don’t remember much from those days. When it gets bad, I guess your brain just forgets. Whatever it can do to cope. I remember taking long walks after school and one day, that long walk led me to a place called mindyourmind. Little did I know that day was the first step I ever took towards seeking help.

When we, the organizers of Forest City Comicon were contemplating what organization to help, I was adamant we choose mindyourmind. Those dark days, I still have them. 10 years later, after years of medication, years of therapy and then naturopathic practices and self-improvement, those days still happen but I am better, something my 16 year old self would of never thought possible. And better because mindyourmind gave me the tools to help myself so this is the least I could do.

Forest City Comicon is a celebration of nerd culture like no other: London, Ontario’s Centennial Hall will host the 2014 Forest City Comicon this October. The event will feature costumes, vendors, panels, board games, and video game tournaments. The event promises to a celebration of nerd culture and the popular culture that surrounds it.

The event will be held on Sunday, October 19 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at London, Ontario’s 14,000 square foot Centennial Hall.