Hello! My name is Darcy Kindred, and I'm the Founder of Paddle Forward. Welcome to my site! The site as it now stands is just an introduction as to what's to come...watch for much, much more as we approach the start of the Fundraiser.

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My goal is to encourage people with mental health problems to understand it is OK to get help and to understand that they are not alone, and that there are others out there who understand and share their struggles, and others out there who want to help.

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I myself suffer from depression, generalized anxiety disorder, ADHD, and from time to time, suicide idealation.  I've been incredibly fortunate to have had incredible support  at home with my struggles.  I hate thinking about anyone having to struggle through these or other issues alone. 

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I’m in my mid-50's.  I grew up in a household of very modest means.  I’ve gone through a number of life traumas, ranging from bad relationships, relationship abuse, to parental alienation, to nearly being broke and on the street, to having my best friend commit suicide, to extreme work stress, to working in a highly toxic work environment.  I’m a biological father of two, now grown up, and a step-dad to three.  I’ve tried to play by the “rule book” of life – emphasizing career and kids most of my life and not taking enough time to myself.  My mental health took a significant decline about two and a half years ago. I planned out my suicide.  I just wanted the pain to end.  It was unbearable.  My wife became aware of my plans and intervened. It’s a long story, but without her support, I wouldn’t be here to tell this tale.  I feel guilt and shame for everything I’ve put her through.  She's an amazing person who didn't deserve to carry the weight of my struggles.

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I’m an example that mental health struggles can happen to anyone.  I’m educated – a B.Comm.(Hons.) and an MBA.  I’ve had career successes (and failures). My resume reads like a business school graduate’s dream - I’ve done deals big and small, in Canada and internationally.  I was the family man – the dad that took his kids to enjoy the outdoors, coached all their sports – football, soccer, softball, baseball, and more.  I love the outdoors. I play a mean game of golf, self taught. I’m fortunate to be good at most sports I try. I’ve played a few musical instruments, one at a high level.  I’m capable at handy things – I’ve renovated houses and cottages on my own.  I’ve been both extremely fit and also overweight at various points in my life.  I’ve been bullied, and I’ve dished it back at some points too.

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Now…I want to do what I can to change things. I want to advocate for more awareness of mental health supports. I want to encourage discussion about mental health issues. I want people who think toxic workplaces are ok, or who feel they have a right to treat others badly, to have to change. I want people who are suffering to know they are not alone. I want them to feel ok with getting help, not to feel embarrassed about it.  I want to inspire hope. I want people who don’t suffer from such problems to have more compassion and empathy for those who do. I want everyone to understand…about mental health problems…it can happen to anyone…and suffering in silence doesn’t help, and that those of us who have mental health problems, we didn’t get them because we wanted them. Just sometimes it's just hard to handle life and things build up.

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Finally...I want to emphasize...the world needs more kindness. If you can take any inspiration from my story...let it be that...be kind to those you know, and if you can, those you don't.