Doug Cridland of Fort Frances

Husband, father, devoted community worker lives with bipolar disorder and inspires others with the illness to take control of their lives.

Doug Cridland experienced the first of his many psychotic episodes at 18 and was quickly diagnosed with bipolar disorder.  For example, during one episode he stood in front of his brother with no shirt on, a cowboy hat and a bag full of brand new goalie equipment and demanded to be taken to Maple Leaf Gardens because he was in town to “save the Leafs.” Although Doug’s family can now see the humour in this, at the time they were frightened by his behaviour and his illness.|

After seeking treatment, Doug attended school, graduated and began his career as a retail meat cutter at Safeway.  When life presented Doug with a challenge yet again - he got downsized after 21 years at Safeway - he persevered and refused to give in to this setback.  He took his downsizing as an opportunity to return to school and will be graduating from a Personal Support Worker program this spring.  Doug has been married to the love of his life for 15 years; he is the proud father of three exceptional children, and he has endured and survived the loss of both his parents to cancer.  Committed to helping others with bipolar disorder, he began a self-awareness group in Fort Frances, he volunteers with the Canadian Mental Health Association, and has been trained for suicide intervention.

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