By paNOW

Miss Saskatchewan vows to help fight depression

Apr 23, 2018 | 6:00 PM

A woman born and raised in Prince Albert has committed to use her new found fame to help others who have or are struggling with depression.

Lisa Amy Van Dyck was crowned Miss Saskatchewan Sunday night at a pageant in Saskatoon, put on by Miss World Canada. Each contestant had a personal cause, and for Van Dyck, it was one close to her own heart, having fought depression between the ages of 12 and 18.

“Honestly like I was suicidal for years and the only reason I’m alive is because someone helped me and they would tell me every day it’s going to better,” she said. “When I hear about people committing suicide, it breaks my heart.”

Growing up, Van Dyck moved a total of 13 times. One of her long term goals has always been to open a day care facility in Prince Albert.

“We need to start with youth at a young age so they don’t grow up into this depression,” she said.

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While acknowledging some people may judge her on her young age, Van Dyck said she experienced many things the average 20-year-old has not and wants to pass on those life lessons.

“I’ve always wanted to model and so I thought this pageant could open some new doors for me, but also the pageant part gives more of the personality side and what you stand for,” she said.

Van Dyck said the pageant helped her personal confidence and taught her there are no limits in life if you want something bad enough. During the run-up to the pageant, each of the contestants was required to raise money for cardiac kids, a volunteer group established in 2000 to raise funds for children who are suffering from congenital heart disease. Van Dyck spent five weeks collecting bottles and cans and raised over $2,000 .

“I have a long term goal of where I would like this to take me and I literally visualize this as a staircase and my goal is at the very top and this Miss Saskatchewan is literally just the first step,” she said.

Van Dyck will represent Saskatchewan at the Miss Canada World pageant in July.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

— with files from Tyler Marr