The suicide of a close friend changed Trevor Yee’s life forever.
“I had two friends who were brothers who had developed schizophrenia,” he explains, “and I remember not really understanding what was going on with them. When the younger one died, I went into a bit of a tailspin. I didn’t know how to process it. I felt like I’d let them down somehow.”
Almost 20 years and one career later, Trevor is now devoting his life to helping some of society’s most marginalized and stigmatized members: people living with mental illness.
The decision to change careers wasn’t easy. He already had an undergraduate degree, had been teaching English as a Second Language for years, and was unsure about returning to school in his 30s. But his desire to help others and give back won out.
Ultimately, Trevor made a decision to change his life’s focus and become a psychiatric nurse through Douglas College.
“Douglas has a reputation for having the best psychiatric nursing program in the province,” says Trevor. “Graduates are well respected in the professional community and highly sought after by employers.”
Once Trevor started the Psychiatric Nursing program, he says he was surprised he wasn’t the only mature student.
“There were actually quite a few of us. It seems like these days everyone’s pursuing further education no matter their age group or where they’re from.”
Trevor says he found a real sense of community at Douglas, where his fellow students and instructors supported one another.
“There are so many amazing students, many of whom have overcome adversity and challenges to be here. I have really come to love and respect everyone in my class as we have walked together on our journey.”
In his final semester, he took a practicum position in Gibsons, B.C., which has turned into a permanent full-time position.
The newly minted Mental Health Nurse couldn’t be happier.
“A career spent caring for people living with mental illness is a worthwhile way to live my life,” he says.
Photo Credit: David Denofreo
