Happy Canada Day!

Today, as Canada celebrates its birthday, I’m also quietly marking a personal milestone: this month, it’s been 23 years since I landed in Canada from Russia. Sometimes, I still can’t believe how unpredictable life can be.

Back in 1996, after the financial crisis in Russia, I said “yes” to what seemed like a wild idea—immigrating to Canada. I had no way of knowing how profoundly that decision would shape my life and career.

I arrived with a medical degree, a suitcase, and a lot of uncertainty. Fast forward to today: I’m a child and adolescent psychiatrist working on the front lines of community mental health, a father of three, and an advocate for seeing the full human story behind every diagnosis.

If there’s one thing my journey has taught me, it’s that the most meaningful chapters often begin with a leap into the unknown. The path isn’t always clear, but sometimes saying “yes” to change opens doors you never imagined.

Happy Canada Day to all who call this country home—especially those who, like me, have found new beginnings here. Here’s to the courage to embrace life’s unpredictable turns, and to the beauty that can grow from them.

#CanadaDay #ImmigrantStories #Psychiatry #MentalHealth #NewBeginnings

This version is warm, personal, and focused on the unpredictability of life and the meaning of Canada Day in your journey1. If you want to add more about your clinical work or family, let me know!