Nominations have opened for the 2024 Coast Mental Health Courage to Come Back Awards, which recognize British Columbians who have persevered in the areas of Addiction, Medical, Mental Health, Physical Rehabilitation, and Youth.

New Westminster’s Rachel Goldman was named the winner of the Medical category in 2023 and she says she’s grateful to have been recognized.

“I really, really hope that others in my position will feel less alone and know that it is okay to be grateful and it’s possible to come back,” she said.

Mental Health category winner and Vancouver resident Jodi Gray says being recognized was a huge honour.

“I think there’s a lot of people out there that deserve it,” said Gray. “It’s not always easy to share the story, but I think it’s important to get the story out there and show others that there is hope, and you can do what you want to do, and your life can have meaning and happiness again.

Surrey’s Danielle Laviolette took home the 2023 award in the Youth category and says sometimes people have to keep going and push forward.

“This award has told me that I pushed forward enough — that people will recognize what I’ve done in my life,” Laviolette explained.

“I finally feel acknowledged, I’ve actually done something in my life.”

The deadline for nominations is Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, and an awards gala will be held on Thursday, May 23.

CityNews is a proud sponsor of the Coast Mental Health Courage to Come Back Awards, which raise critical funds for British Columbians living with mental illness.