Mental Health Platform (MEHEP) was created by Karen Byfield after she studied psychology at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada. She created this website out of passion: to inform, educate, and bring to the forefront issues that persons with mental health disorders encounter.

       Karen’s passion and empathy for the mentally ill started as a young child, when she would often witness people residing on the streets, in tattered clothing—if any at all—and conversing with  themselves, and eating remains from garbage containers. When she inquired of her family about these persons’ state of mind, she was often told they were “mad”.  So she assumed that ideology.  Years passed by, and it was while working at a bank that was close to a mental health institution that her curiosity was piqued even further. She became friends with a psychologist from that institution and learned about the different terminologies associated with people who have a mental health disorder such as schizophrenia, depression, or bipolar.  This knowledge gave her a heightened interest in mental health causes, which led her to pursue a degree in psychology.  

      Karen is a former Accountant and Bank Clerk turned mental health advocate. She has generously contributed to society in a positive way through ten years of volunteering in different institutions and organizations, such as the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta, Immigrant Services, and the Women’s Centre, among others.

An altruistic and well-rounded woman with varied interests, Karen subscribes to Psychology Today, Women’s Health, and Christianity Today magazines; she also contributes monetarily to Save the Children and In Touch Ministries. 

An avid news reader, Karen spends a lot of time learning about new mental health discoveries. In her spare time, she takes pleasure in traveling and learning about new cultures, as well as cooking and taking note of secret recipes. She enjoys exercising and playing a variety of games including Scrabble, Pictionary, Monopoly, and card games. She also enjoys watching and sometimes playing sports such as pool, table tennis, lawn tennis, and swimming. Karen is fond of reading books on brain and behavior, neuroscience, psychology, history, and religion. Karen resides in Ontario, Canada with her beautiful family.

 Some of Karen’s philosophies of life by which she lives are as follows:

-         What defines a person is not his or her haves or have nots, but his or her character.

-         In every good person there might be a bad quality, and in every bad person there might be a good quality.

-         Do not judge. Instead, examine or think about the underlying disposition of someone’s behavior that led to a negative response to society.

-         Volunteering and giving back to society is rewarding.

-         Having the positive support of one’s family and friends is important in life.

-         Believing in yourself and having positive thoughts ultimately lead to success.

-         There is only one life to live. Dream and think big.

-         Having a faith-based belief system is essential. Understanding, apologizing, forgiving, and loving make up a healthy way to live.

-         Being wealthy is not about how much money you have, but about how much love you have after you have spent your money.

-         Time is limited. I cannot go back to yesterday and correct my mistakes, but I can start afresh today.

Karen Byfield 

BSc. -Psychology 

Mental Health Advocate

Fight Stigma Now!

mentalhealthplatform@yahoo.ca

mentalhealthplatform@gmail.com