#IamMGH – Meet Alison Licht

#IamMGH tells the stories of our people. Meet Alison Licht, Program Coordinator for the Community, School and Family Outreach Program at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH).

“I am a psychologist by training and have had the pleasure of working at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) for almost 38 years. My first 25 years was spent working in the Mental Health Crisis Unit, and for the last 12 years, I have been leading a support group for caregivers to family members of loved ones who have a mental illness.

I have always liked helping others, especially those who have difficulty advocating for themselves. It can be very isolating as a caregiver to a loved one with a mental illness. In my role, not only do I provide caregivers with resources and help them navigate the mental health system, I also find that listening to them and being someone who ‘gets it’ helps with the feeling of isolation. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing the positive impact and change I have on others.

It has been a privilege to work with the caregivers and families who support their loved ones with mental health challenges over the years. I am humbled and appreciative of the trust they put in me. Their love for and dedication to their loved ones is truly inspirational.

I have met incredible people in this field of work and have had the opportunity to provide mental health education on a local level to schools and businesses. I’ve also provided mental health knowledge and experience on an international level.

One of the highlights of my career was leading a delegation of mental health professionals from Canada and the United States on a bilateral exchange to South Africa. We were able to learn from mental health professionals in South Africa and they were able to learn from us.

While I will be retiring from MGH this week, I look forward to continuing my contribution to the field of mental health. I have been invited to write a chapter in the Canadian Anthology on Mental Health and the Law that will be focused on the vital role families play in mental health care. I have also been thinking of starting my own small private practice.

I’m grandmother, too, and I look forward to spending more time with my grandchildren!”