Remembering Juanna Ricketts

Sep 14, 2023

On August 3^rd, Juanna Ricketts, a beloved member of CMHA’s National Council of Persons with Lived Experience (NCPLE)¹ died due to a series of strokes she suffered in April 2023.  

Juanna shared her wisdom, knowledge and insights as a member of the NCPLE since 2017 and was an active volunteer and advocate with the Halifax/Dartmouth branch of CMHA Nova Scotia Division. She also shared her story as part of CMHA’s 2021 federal election campaign. It can be found here. 

In the coming months, the NCPLE will announce their plans to memorialize Juanna and her work with the Council. 

You can read more about Juanna’s life and her contributions to mental health advocacy here:

• Juanna’s obituary  
• Toronto Star: From despair to hope: After COVID’s toll on mental health, more Canadians may soon be able to access care (thestar.com) 
• World Mental Health Day video of Juanna 
• CMHA Brief: Mental Health as a Human Right  

1. The National Council of Persons with Lived Experience (NCPLE) is an advisory council that works in partnership with CMHA National and its Board of Directors to ensure that the voices and needs of persons with lived or living experience of a mental illness are central to CMHA’s work.