To transform lives by becoming a premier health hub where individuals and families conquer mental health challenges, embrace holistic wellness, and thrive in all areas of life. At Level Up Wellness, we believe no one should navigate their mental health journey alone.
Inspired by the personal journeys of Dr. Melody Morin and her daughter Shaelyn, the Level Up Psychology and Wellness Foundation is committed to advancing inclusive and comprehensive mental health care. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration with Level Up Wellness Group, we aim to create an integrative health hub. This hub bridges physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, environmental, and occupational wellness, empowering individuals to achieve balance and fulfillment. By eliminating barriers and promoting resilience, we strive to help everyone live healthier, more rewarding lives.
The Seven Dimensions of Wellness
1. Physical Wellness
Promoting a healthy body through exercise, nutrition, sleep, and medical care enables individuals to function optimally in their daily lives.
2. Emotional Wellness
Supporting the ability to cope effectively with life’s challenges, fostering self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience.
3. Intellectual Wellness
Encouraging lifelong learning, curiosity, and creativity to stimulate growth and adaptability in a dynamic world.
4. Social Wellness
Building healthy relationships and fostering a sense of belonging and connection within families, communities, and support networks.
5. Spiritual Wellness
Helping individuals find purpose, meaning, and harmony through personal values, beliefs, and practices.
6. Environmental Wellness
Creating and maintaining spaces that support well-being while promoting sustainable interactions with the natural world.
7. Occupational Wellness
Supporting satisfaction and balance in work, whether through employment, volunteering, or personal endeavours, to align with an individual’s values and goals.
Inspired by the journeys of Dr. Melody Morin as a psychologist and mother, and Shaelyn’s resilience in overcoming OCD/PANDAS/PANS and related challenges, we embrace the transformative power of personal stories to inform and shape holistic wellness solutions.
2. Holistic Wellness
We believe in addressing the whole person by supporting programs and initiatives that promote the seven dimensions of wellness, ensuring all aspects of well-being are nurtured.
3. Compassionate Advocacy
Guided by empathy and understanding, we champion those navigating the complexities of mental health, addressing barriers to care with determination and kindness.
4. Equity and Inclusion
We strive to eliminate disparities in access to care, providing culturally responsive and inclusive services to meet the diverse needs of individuals and families.
5. Innovation Through Integration
By combining research, lived experience, and community input, we design innovative, integrated programs that promote sustainable health and wellness outcomes.
6. Empowerment Through Education
We equip individuals, families, and communities with knowledge, tools, and strategies to advocate for themselves and live balanced, fulfilling lives.
7. Integrity and Accountability
Rooted in Dr. Morin’s leadership, we uphold ethical standards, transparency, and trust in all aspects of our work, ensuring the highest quality of service.
8. Collaboration and Community Building
We foster partnerships with organizations and professionals to create a health hub where comprehensive care aligns with the seven dimensions of wellness, promoting long-term resilience and thriving communities.
9. Humor, Fun, and Lightheartedness
Recognizing that navigating health and wellness can be challenging, we cultivate an environment that values humor, playfulness, and moments of joy. We believe a lighthearted approach can ease stress, foster connection, and make the journey to wellness more enjoyable.
Our Story: Why We Exist
The journey of the Level Up Psychology and Wellness Foundation is one of resilience, determination, and the unwavering belief that no family should face mental health challenges alone.
Dr. Melody Morin, the founder of Level Up Wellness Group and a single mother for 16 years, understands firsthand the overwhelming struggles of navigating the mental health system. Her daughter, Shaelyn, faced debilitating OCD and the complex challenges of PANDAS/PANS. Yet, the healthcare system fell devastatingly short—lacking the expertise, resources, and coordinated care Shaelyn desperately needed.
With no clear path forward, Dr. Mel shouldered the burden of becoming her daughter’s advocate and expert. She spent countless hours training herself in OCD and PANDAS/PANS care, attending specialized programs, and learning from leading professionals—all while juggling the immense financial strain of over $150,000 in private healthcare expenses. The journey often meant missed work, jumping from one medical office to another, and enduring the frustration of piecing together fragmented care in a system not built to support families like hers.
“No family should ever have to choose between life’s necessities and treatment for themselves or their children.”
Dr. Mel’s experience ignited her passion for change. She dreamed of a world where families could access the care they need in one comfortable, inviting space—where trained professionals work together to address every dimension of wellness. This vision became the foundation for Level Up Wellness Group and inspired the creation of the Level Up Psychology and Wellness Foundation.
Through the Foundation’s not-for-profit mission, we work to ensure that families receive accessible, team-based care that meets their unique needs—all in one central hub. No longer should families endure the stress and chaos of navigating multiple providers or sacrificing their well-being to pay for essential treatment.
Guided by Dr. Mel’s and Shaelyn’s lived experiences, the Foundation is committed to bridging the gaps in mental health care, advocating for innovation, equity, and compassion. Together, with the support of Level Up Wellness Group, we are building a future where every family has the opportunity to heal, thrive, and find hope in one unified space.
This is our why. This is our story. Because no one should walk this journey alone.
To learn more about Shaelyn’s journey and the inspiration of Level Up Wellness Group and Level Up Psychology & Wellness Foundation, review her story.
Shae Shares: Breaking Free from the Prison of OCD
Shaelyn Morin’s journey is not just a story of resilience—it’s a testament to the power of advocacy, hope, and unwavering determination. From a young age, Shae was trapped in a silent struggle with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a condition she describes as being “a prisoner in my own mind.”
Her mother, Dr. Melody Morin, vividly recalls the heartbreaking reality of watching her daughter suffer. In a powerful Facebook post titled “A Prisoner in Her Own Mind,” Dr. Mel described the relentless grip OCD had on Shae’s life. The intrusive thoughts, the compulsions, and the overwhelming anxiety consumed Shae’s every moment, leaving her isolated and misunderstood. “It was like watching my daughter fight an invisible battle that no one else could see,” Dr. Mel shared.
The journey to find effective treatment was long and grueling. Despite countless appointments with mental health professionals in Edmonton, the care Shae received often fell short. Twice hospitalized, she encountered providers who lacked the specialized training necessary to truly understand OCD. Shae recalls the frustration of feeling unseen and unheard: “It felt like they only knew 10% of what they needed to help me.”
Desperate for answers, Dr. Mel became Shae’s fiercest advocate. As a single mother, she sacrificed everything to ensure Shae had a chance at recovery. With no clear roadmap and little support from the local healthcare system, Dr. Mel trained herself in OCD treatment and the complexities of PANDAS/PANS, pouring over $150,000 into private healthcare paid for by credit card debt and remortgaging her house. Together, they sought out specialists in the United States, where Shae finally experienced care that transformed her life.
The contrast was staggering. For the first time, Shae encountered professionals who understood the intricate realities of OCD and the evidence-based treatments that could help her reclaim her life. This experience ignited a fire in both Shae and Dr. Mel to bring that level of care and understanding to others in need.
Today, Shae is no longer defined by her struggle. Through her blog, Shae Shares, and her work with Level Up Wellness Group, she has become a powerful advocate for those navigating OCD and other mental health challenges. In a heartfelt Instagram presentation, Shae shared her journey, describing the loneliness of feeling trapped and the hope she found in breaking free. “No one should have to fight this battle alone,” she emphasized.
Her story, however, is not just about her recovery—it’s about ensuring others don’t endure the same hardships. The Morin family’s experiences inspired the creation of the Level Up Psychology and Wellness Foundation, a not-for-profit organization committed to providing accessible, team-based care in one inviting space. This health hub is designed to prevent the fragmented care Shae endured, ensuring families don’t have to choose between life’s necessities and life-saving treatment.
Shae’s voice, rooted in lived experience, is now a beacon of hope for others. Reflecting on her past, she often revisits her mother’s words: “A prisoner in her own mind.” But now, Shae sees herself as more than that. “I’ve broken free, and I want to help others find that freedom too.”
Through her courage, advocacy, and partnership with Level Up Wellness Group, Shae is turning her pain into purpose, helping to create a world where no one feels trapped or alone in their mental health journey.
Goals of the Board for Level Up Psychology & Wellness Foundation
The Board serves as an active, strategic and collaborative body to support the Foundation’s mission, vision, and operations. Its primary goals are:
1.Strategic Guidance
Provide insights and expertise to shape the Foundation’s long-term vision and strategic direction.
Ensure alignment with the Foundation’s mission to improve access to holistic, team-based mental health care.
2. Advocacy and Outreach
Champion the Foundation’s cause in the community, raising awareness of its work and impact.
Foster partnerships with other organizations, stakeholders, and community members to strengthen outreach efforts.
Promote equity, inclusion, and accessibility in all aspects of the Foundation’s operations and programs.
3. Financial Oversight and Sustainability
Support fundraising initiatives to secure the financial resources necessary to achieve the Foundation’s goals.
Provide advice on budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation to ensure fiscal responsibility.
4. Program Development and Evaluation
Offer insights to enhance the design, implementation, and evaluation of the Foundation’s programs and services.
Ensure programs meet the needs of diverse populations, including youth, families, and marginalized groups.
5. Community Representation
Bring the voices of diverse stakeholders—youth, families, professionals, and individuals with lived experiences—into decision-making processes.
Advocate for inclusive and culturally responsive services that reflect the needs of the community.
6. Governance and Accountability
Provide oversight on governance practices, ensuring transparency, ethical standards, and adherence to non-profit regulations.
Evaluate the performance of the Foundation in achieving its mission and goals.
7. Innovation and Thought Leadership
Encourage innovative approaches to mental health care and wellness, emphasizing the seven dimensions of wellness.
Stay informed about trends, research, and best practices in mental health to guide the Foundation’s initiatives.
8. Support Collaboration with Level Up Wellness Group
Strengthen the partnership between the Foundation and Level Up Wellness Group to ensure cohesive support for shared goals.
Enhance integrated care efforts to create a seamless experience for individuals and families seeking services.
Role Summary: The Chairperson leads the Advisory Board, ensuring the group works collaboratively to support the Foundation’s mission and vision. They oversee meetings, guide strategic discussions, and represent the board in key engagements.
Role Summary: The Secretary ensures accurate documentation of Advisory Board activities and maintains clear communication between board members and the Foundation.
