V. Joy Pavelich

V. JOY PAVELICH holds a Master of Arts degree in Professional Communications from Royal Roads University. Her Master's research addressed the importance of sharing stories as a tool to move past the damaging impact of trauma. When she lost her 20-year-old son Eric Schmit to suicide in August, 2013, Joy transferred her communications skills into supporting mental health awareness, advocacy and action. 

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Joy currently works on a national level in mental health strategy and initiatives supporting individuals with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She has served on the Mental Health Commission of Canada's National Advisory Council for the Mental Health of Emerging Adults, the advisory panel of MoBros (a Movember funded research project to develop a national men's depression screening tool), is a member of the Province of Alberta's Mental Health Review Panel roster, and was featured in Canadian Living magazine, sharing the family's story of coping with extreme trauma and loss. She was also profiled in the Calgary-based Home of the Brave initiative, for her work in mental health awareness. She currently resides near Calgary, Alberta, where her sons Justin and Conner remain close.