About Deb's Circle

Deb Inglis was brilliant, accomplished, loyal, and most of all kind and thoughtful.  She was loved and appreciated by the many people whose lives she touched.

Deb’s Circle was created to continue her legacy of compassion for others, as a respite and resource centre, to enhance women's mental wellness.

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As a community, as a society we must come together and address this issue and the very real impact it has on all of us. When we at Deb’s Circle think about how she might like to be honoured, it would have been by looking around, supporting those who need it, love each other and give of ourselves. At her core, Deb was a giver, thus, we give others a community where everyone  feels safe and can adequately express themselves, without fear of judgement ensuring other women do not experience a feeling of isolation. We are all in this together.

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Our Vision: To co-create a compassionate community with services supporting women's mental wellness.

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Our Mission: Deb’s Circle is a centre supporting women’s mental wellness through creative self-expression and related programs.

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Our Values: 

• Enhancing safety with supportive, inclusive and accessible resources.

• Empowering women helping women; and

• Encouragement of creativity and artistic expression for healing and wellness.

• Deb’s Circle is committed to the delivery of high-quality services.

• Deb’s Circle is committed to financial sustainability within a framework of responsible stewardship.

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Deb's Story and the Creation of Deb's Circle

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Deb was a really good baby, sweet and gentle with a quiet demeanor. Her curiosity and love of learning were clear from an early age. She was cheerful, positive and loved music and the Arts. She studied hard throughout school, graduating from the University of Toronto with BSc Honours degree in Chemistry and Psychology. In July 1997, she married the love of her life. A few years later, the couple welcomed their beautiful daughter to the world. 

 

Deb’s overriding qualities were kindness, thoughtfulness, love of family, and professional dedication. An accomplished professional, Deb seemed to have it all including a beautiful home, family and lifestyle. She was beloved by co-workers who saw her not as a boss but a supportive peer where she fostered a workplace in which  people trust each other ,and are supported and achieve for each other and not just themselves….a true champion of the underdog. Most of all, she was empathetic and humble. Deb was the kind of person who made you feel good just being around her. 

 

While she appeared to be ‘high functioning,’  she was clearly struggling with mental health issues in the last few years of her life. It isn’t talked about enough. No one is spared it’s consequences. In part due to stigma and lack of support, she mostly struggled silently and alone. Deb died by suicide in November 2017.

 

Deep in grief after her daughter's death, Esther was struggling to make sense of what happened and find purpose in life. Through a grief support group, Esther began to learn more about suicide, which led her to offer a poster presentation at the Canadian Mental Health Association conference in 2018. This experience prompted Esther to search for other ways she could raise awareness and create opportunities to enhance women's mental wellness through compassion, creativity and community as a form of suicide prevention.  Upon realizing the need   to provide these increasingly needed supports, Deb's Circle was created.  It is the qualities that Deb instilled in her lifetime that make up the very foundation of our organization

 

Perhaps if Deb had access to the services and programs that Deb’s Circle provides, she may still be here today. We believe it is important for people to see themselves in the story of Deb, and know that at Deb’s Circle, they can turn things around for themselves with the resources  available for them, in that support group of Women  helping Women.

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Our goal to treat the people, students, colleagues, friends and neighbours, with the kindness that she showed toward so many. The initiative at Deb’s Circle is ultimately that she would have expected us to do as she did. Look around, support those who need it, love each other and give of ourselves.