Leanne is a powerful voice in promoting an understanding of, and empathy toward, mental health. She advocates for parents with mental health concerns to help create a better understanding of the struggles that are faced, especially when society is still misinformed about this large, but often ignored segment of our population.
She also works to create awareness about ADHD, an “invisible” disability, to educate people on its complex symptoms, and strengthen recognition, accessibility and inclusivity to stop the ignorance and judgment that leads to the rejection and exclusion of those who live with this neurodevelopmental condition.
Leanne is available for speaking engagements, to consult and advise clinicians, professionals, community groups, government, schools, businesses and service organizations on supporting parental mental health, including mental illness and ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder).
Leanne also delivers workshops and presentations on how to better understand and accommodate individuals (children and adults) living with ADHD and its related mental health concerns, to provide more equitable and inclusive opportunities for participation in their service offerings.
In limited situations, Leanne provides coaching, advice and support to individuals who want to gain a better understanding of living with an individual who has ADHD. The focus is on non-ADHD adults living with their diagnosed partner.
Lived-experience with ADHD, BPD, cPTSD, Childhood Emotional Trauma, ACEs, Anxiety and Depression.
My name is Leanne Minichillo, and I’ve created Parental Mental to help parents gain access to information, resources and a supportive network of other parents and caregivers to share and discuss the multitude of aspects that go along with caring for children while managing our own mental health.
A few years ago, at age 40, I went through a very difficult time with my (mental) health.
During my illness and continual recovery, because writing to myself and to others about my situation and state of mind has worked wonders for my healing, I had the goal of establishing a space as a means for open and honest conversation and support. A place for parents to come together through Relatable Solidarity; sharing similar circumstances and finding solutions together. A way to alleviate some of the pressure while you’re seeking professional help.
It is my belief that, when we share our feelings, especially through writing, we purge them from inside of us and allow external solutions to present themselves.
Recent Involvement:
Member, National Council of Persons with Lived Experience (of Mental Illness), Advisors to the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Consultant, Accessibility (Confidential Client) – Analyzing and assessing Federally-regulated organizations and policies through an ADHD & Mental Illness lens to ensure accessibility and inclusivity.
Graduate, Family Engagement in Research Certificate, McMaster University.
Keynote Speaker, Guardian Network’s 2023 National Symposium on Agricultural Mental Health.
Consultant, Mental Health Commission of Canada – Mental Health & Cannabis – Parenting and Cannabis Use.
Writer/Researcher”Recovery Through Patient-Led Introspection and Self-Awareness: Writing For Rehabilitation” Published in Ontario Shores Journal of Recovery in Mental Health, Vol. 4 No. 1 Winter 2020.
Presenter, Canadian Mental Health Association National Conference, 2020 – “Integrating Appropriate Representations of People with Mental Health Concerns into Society/Research/Information”
Presenter, Grandview Kids, Family Engagement: Supporting the mental health of parents and caregivers to children with disabilities – Coffee + Connecting.
Facilitator, Canadian Mental Health Association National Conference, 2021 – Facilitated a public conversation on the importance of supporting parental mental health.
Presenter, Children’s Mental Health Ontario Conference, 2021 – “Parental Mental Health – Facilitating Positive Interdependence”
Speaker, Parents For Children’s Mental Health (Associated with Children’s Mental Health Ontario) – Guest Speaker at the monthly ADHD Group.
Mental Health Advocate, Global News National, June 21, 2022 “Federal Liberals face criticism about $875M in missing mental health spending” (tv/print)
Kind Words:
Leanne was an invaluable asset to our team at the Stagecoach Toronto East and Hamilton schools.
Her thorough awareness of ADHD, delivered through a friendly and engaging presentation, allowed my team to gain an understanding of the biological and the psychological aspects of the Disorder, and to learn about the ways that it presents socially, especially among children.
We were able to ask questions about ADHD, and Leanne also provided consultation about actual scenarios that our team was experiencing with our students.
Using her advice, we implemented Leanne’s suggestions and noticed a significant improvement in our students’ participation and confidence. Her ideas also provided valuable knowledge to my team that will continue to benefit their interactions with our Stagecoach families.
If you are a service-based group that works with kids, it’s important that your staff understand how to ensure inclusion for everyone, and, with her experience and insight, I recommend Leanne to help achieve that.
— Cadence Allen Crawley, Principal & Owner, Stagecoach Performing Arts, Toronto East & Hamilton East
Leanne delivered an engaging presentation at CMHO’s 2021 Virtual conference. Speaking for her own lived experience, Leanne shared how important it is that parents have good mental health in order to support their child who is struggling with mental health challenges.
Leanne, is very passionate about this topic and has also presented at PCMH’s ADHD peer support group in Waterloo.
Leanne is collaborative, responsive, flexible and reliable.
— Andrea Tagalakis, Program Manager at Children’s Mental Health Ontario
I had the pleasure of working Leanne on the MHCC’s Community-Based Research in Cannabis and Mental Health initiative, as Leanne was one of the Review Committee members.
We were so fortunate to have Leanne support this important work, her expertise and experience was a valuable contribution to the review process. Her passion for the topic as well as the meaningful involvement of people with lived experience was apparent in every interaction.
She was so engaged, we immediately thought of her when the opportunity to present on the project at the National CMHA conference came up.
I very much enjoyed collaborating with Leanne on this presentation and admire her advocacy and passion. I hope our paths cross again soon!
— Cara Kane, Knowledge Broker, Substance Use & Mental Health, Mental Health Commission of Canada