Katie's Story - Vulnerability is strength

2021 and 2022 were tough years for Katie, post-COVID and going through a separation and then divorce. “It was messy, painful, and overwhelming,” she says. “Many days I didn’t even know how I was going to getup in the morning.”

Thankfully, Katie had a strong network of friends and family—and a great therapist—to help her get through what she describes as feeling “broken, exhausted and hopeless” and find a path forward. With improved health last year Katie bravely started a new journey as an entrepreneur, launching FormulaK8 Wellness, creating and selling high quality all-natural pain relief and skin care products. Having been personally touched by mental health struggles, she also knew she wanted to give back, and so she reached out to CMHA Kelowna after finding us through a Google search. “At the time, I didn’t even realize they existed,” she says. “I wish I had known about them sooner so I could have shared that resource with friends and family who were struggling.”

Katie now donates 5% of all FormulaK8 sales to CMHA Kelowna, demonstrating just how much our community cares.

In September, we interviewed Katie to understand more about her belief that mental health matters, and that it’s up to all of us to keep the conversation going—until no one feels alone. Our interview is shared below.

Thank you, Katie! The more people like you share their stories, the more normalized these healthy conversations become, and the more others will be encouraged to reach for help. Hope is in community.

Q: Why does mental health matter to you?

Katie: Mental health matter because no one should ever feel alone. Too often, people suffer in silence—especially men. I’ve seen men my age, including friends who are veterans, carry so much pain quietly because they feel they can’t show emotion or ask for help. To me, that stigma is dangerous. Vulnerability is not a weakness—it’s a strength. Mental health matters because everyone deserves support, understanding, and hope, no matter their gender.

Mental health struggles have also touched my family…It made me realize just how urgent men’s mental health really is, and how deeply weneed to normalize conversations for men around struggle, vulnerability, and getting help.

Q: How did those challenges/barriers impact you? How did you feel?

Katie: I felt broken, exhausted, and hopeless at times. But learning on my friends, my family, my therapist, and especially my kids kept me going. They reminded me I mattered and that I could keep moving forward.

Q: What transformation or change(s) took place/are happening now?

Katie: On a personal level, I’ve grown stronger and more grounded. My faith in God and daily meditation keep me centred. I continue therapy because I truly believe everyone—even those who seem “fine”—can benefit from it.

On a professional level, I’ve partnered my company with CMHA Kelowna, committing 5% of profits to their programs. It’s important for me to not just talk about mental health, but to actively support it in my community.

Q: What is working? What is different about how you feel now?

Katie: Right now, I feel incredible. I’ve moved from just surviving to finding purpose in helping others. My struggles taught me that strength isn’t about doing it all alone—it’s about reaching out, connecting, and encouraging others to do the same.

Q: What do you think needs to change in our community so that people can be more mentally healthy?

Katie: We need more awareness and accessibility for mental health care—especially before people reach a breaking point. For men, this is even more urgent. We have to break the stigma that tells them asking for help is weakness. Veterans in particular deserve stronger, consistent follow-up and care. They’ve given so much, yet many carry invisible wounds in silence.

As a community, we need to create more safe spaces for mento talk openly, without judgment, and we need to keep saying it out loud: There is no shame in asking for help.

Q: Were there mental health programs or services you/your family accessed that helped?

Katie: For me, therapy was essential. I was fortunate to have access, but many don’t. That’s why CMHA Kelowna is so important—they bridge the gap and make support more accessible for everyone.

Q: If you could go back I time and offer yourself or someone else encouragement, what would you say?

Katie: Sometimes things get worse before they get better. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it means you’re in the middle of change. Don’t give up, and don’t feel shame in asking for help. Reaching out is not weakness—it’s one of the bravest things you can do.

Q: Why do you support CMHA Kelowna?

Katie: I support CMHA Kelowna because their mission saves lives. They are creating safe spaces, building awareness, and offering real support for people in need. If my support can help even one man, one person, one veteran, or one struggling parent, one child feel less alone—or even save a life—then it’s worth everything.

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Watch Katie's Story on YouTube here.

This holiday season, join Katie and CMHA Kelowna in opening up conversations about mental health. Together we can ensure everyone has the support they need, when they need it.

Because hope is in community.

Please donate today.

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