Ben Le Fevre — His face would light up when he would greet you. He had a rare distinct quality of making everyone feel special and as though they were the most important person in the room with him. He was a natural connector and brought people together from all walks of life. He had an innate sense of knowing who should meet and why. He was kind, gentle, fun loving, high-spirited, good intentioned, and genuine. He loved adventure, the outdoors, and most importantly his family and loved ones. He had an energy about him that cannot be described only known and felt. He always expressed his love freely for everyone, he was compassionate and truly one of a kind. He loved to sing, dance and be free. Ben was a good honest human being who had a great impact on the lives he touched. Ben will be deeply missed.
The Ben Le Fevre Mental Health Impact Fund has been created because beneath the sheen of happiness, Ben experienced a deep unsettling tumultuous depression and he is not alone.
In partnership with United Way Greater Toronto, and our network of agencies, the Ben Le Fevre Mental Health Impact Fund will invest in mental health and counselling, fund services that support people through both complex mental illness and addiction, anxiety and depression as well as providing others with the tools to cope with life challenges such as illness, family breakdown, and grief and bereavement.
In loving memory of Ben Le Fevre
You too can support this important work with a gift in honour of Ben Le Fevre. Gifts will be distributed to 76 high-impact health programs and services working directly on the ground across the region to address mental health issues and suicide prevention. You’ll support a wide range of needs – from helping those in crisis, to helping build resilience and capacity to cope with mental health issues and other life challenges before a crisis occurrence. Your donation will also enable important research, partnerships, and advocacy work to drive systems change, building a true network of care and a social safety net for all struggling with mental health challenges.Â
Mental health issues can be all-encompassing, affecting health, employment, and family relationships. It is overwhelming. And while mental health issues are common, stigma and waitlists continue to be barriers to care. On average people wait 45 days for counselling and treatment, far longer than the recommended 28 days. There is frequently no follow-up.
Supporting people facing challenges related to mental health is about removing barriers — reducing risks so people are in a position to benefit from care and ensuring access to services and medications that can change lives for the better.
Our tribute to Ben Le Fevre is to positively impact the mental health of anyone who may be in crisis or needing support. The work will be done together the way Ben would have wanted it. Bringing people together to create a positive impact and change. Ben truly wanted everyone to be happy. This is how his legacy will live on.
