​​Bryan Halls (middle) with his parents after receiving the 2025 Alan Stevenson Memorial Award at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Service Recognition and Alliance Awards of Excellence Award Ceremony

By: Beth Northcott and Taryn McGregor - Van Hooren

Since joining the volunteer team at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) in 2018, Bryan Halls has generously contributed over 600 hours of his time. Through his lived experience, Bryan advocates for greater awareness, helps reduce stigma, and works to enhance the overall experience for patients accessing services at CKHA. A quiet leader with a gentle approach and a big heart, Bryan's impact is both meaningful and lasting. In 2019, he further deepened his commitment by joining the Patient Experience Community Advisory Council (PECAC), continuing his mission to improve patient care across the organization. 

Bryan's journey with mental health started in 1999 while he was studying art in Toronto. At the time, he did not know that he was experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia. He left school and travelled around Canada for three years. In 2021, shortly after returning to his hometown of Chatham-Kent, Bryan was diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression. Bryan's journey to recovery had its challenges. 

While it's been a few years since Bryan has received inpatient care at CKHA, he believes that it was an admission in 2015 that saved his life. Through this admission, Bryan started the Recovery Star Program and was introduced to two very important health care professionals who supported him and believed in him. Bryan completed the Recovery Star Program, which inspired him to complete a psychosocial rehabilitation program (which he completed with honours). With time and hard work, opportunities started to present themselves and Bryan found a passion in helping others by volunteering at CKHA.  

In 2021, Bryan participated in a patient storytelling workshop. His story brought to light the vulnerability of patients seeking care and the importance of access to services to support ongoing rehabilitation. Bryan concluded his story by stating, “Now I am a patient advisor for CKHA, advocating for others with mental illness and trying to make the system a little easier for them. This advocacy has given me a greater meaning to my life and a healthier outlook on my own mental health. It has given me the tools to succeed in my own care as well as the ability to make the system a little better for others with mental illness." 

On Fridays, Bryan shares his talents by offering art classes to patients on the inpatient mental health unit. On Tuesdays, he assists with administrative tasks, enabling staff to spend dedicated time with their patients. On the second Wednesday of every month, he attends the PECAC meeting where he contributes the patient perspective to various quality improvement initiatives. 

In addition to time spent at CKHA, he volunteers at the Breakfast Program with the First Presbyterian Church and was previously the co-chair the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team's (CK-OHT) Mental Health and Addictions / Anti-Stigma Action Team. In 2021, he developed the concept of the CK-OHT's “I am Greater Than…" campaign. 

His most recent art collection (Beatitudes) was showcased at ART Space (a not-for-profit gallery dedicated to the promotion and development of local artists). During the opening reception, he spoke openly about living with a mental illness, and the joy and meaning art brings to his life. 

In April this year, Bryan was awarded the first Alan Stevenson Memorial Award at the CKHA Alliance Awards ceremony. Alan Stevenson was CKHA's Vice-President for Mental Health and Addictions, prior to passing away in December 2023. Alan was known for his exceptional dedication to mental health care. As the recipient of this award, Bryan was celebrated for exemplifying the values and legacy of Alan through his commitment to mental health advocacy, passion for patient and family centred care, community engagement, dedication to personal growth and overall impact on individuals seeking care for their mental health at CKHA. Bryan is an inspiration to everyone he encounters and is living proof that recovery is possible. 

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