Reaching out: Social welfare student sees need for increased mental health services
- March 10, 2009 3:34 PM |
- By Your Voice
Submitted by Lindsay Baxter
Bio/About: I am a 23 year-old student at Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario and am studying Social Welfare & Social Development/Sociology. I grew up in North Bay and have become more and more involved within the community. Recently, my volunteering and literature-based research projects have made me more interested in the field of mental health as a possible career choice.
My take: Over the last three years, while working in the downtown area, I have seen a drastic increase in the amount of "supportive housing" for out-patients of the Northeast Mental Health Centre.
Recently, a statement was released in the local newspaper discussing the decline in the amount of beds which will be available at the new hospital site, expected to open its doors next year. There is already a shortage in North Bay of beds at the current site hence it is frustrating to hear of further shortages in the future. This will generate a heightened need for out-patient services in the community in order to harness 'the framework of recovery' that many health care professionals operate on.
Mental health services are very important to our society as we see growing rates of depression and addiction. What we don't realize is that although we stereotypically define these people in our society as "different," we are no more than one or two small steps away from having these realities in our own lives for ourselves or those close to us.
Rates of mental illness are staggering among all age groups (children to seniors) and socioeconomic groups (rich and poor.) Thus, limiting the amount of space and services available to these individuals is alarming and simply is not adequate in dealing with the issue. As a society we need to stop individualizing social problems — such as mental illness — and instead place them in the broader social and cultural context. Why are Aboriginal suicide rates higher than the rest of the population? Why are women at a higher rate to develop clinical depression as opposed to men with addictions and psychosis? Why are young women exponentially more prone to eating disorders than young men?
The bottom line is these are also community issues, not just individual ones, and we need to approach them as so. Cutbacks in hospitalized services are not the solution nor is the deinsitutionalization of clients that need higher levels of support prior to reintegrating into the community. The over-prescription of drugs for these individuals is well-documented and the implications are huge.
We cannot continue to handle this with a "band-aid" like plan, but instead work to create a more healthy and accommodating political/social context for individuals to live and recover within. Current models of recovery cannot be fully recognized if proper treatment and social supports are not enacted at the same time. This is definitely an area that needs much government investment.
An investment that would not require a whole lot of restructuring, especially with the current situation in a small city like North Bay where we will be seeing fewer opportunities for these individuals to seek help and retain care.
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Comments (36)
Lindsay and anyone else interested in this issue:
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is currently asking Canadians to participate in a National survey regarding a Mental Health Strategy for Canada. Canada is the only one of the G8 nations that does not have a National Mental Health Strategy in place. This is an opportunity that all Canadians should be taking part in. This strategy, when complete, will be consistent for all Canadians. Go to www.mentalhealthcommission.ca for more details on how to participate in this survey and have your thoughts and suggestions included.
I agree with this young women.
EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH BUT NOONE IS DOING ANYTHING - INTELLIGENT - ABOUT IT.
In the US, they give it a D. I'd give them an F. However, it is not as if we had no resources, like 50 years ago. What they call 'discoveries' are some facts that some knew and acted on FOR 2500 YEARS AGO.
SO, LET'S BE SERIOUS ABOUT IT AND DO WHAT WORKS. Sure, it will bother some so-called professionals, those who have NOT improved people's sanity, in spite of claims for the last century. From potions to pills, acupuncture, water-diluted mixtures - it has a name but I can't think of it right now.
People have been ripped off by those individuals, having to return over and over again. That in itself should be a sign that IT IS NOT WORTH A DIME, although costing a whole lot more than that to individuals AND TAXPAYERS.
IT IS OBVIOUS THAT YOU DON'T SOLVE PROBLEMS BY DODGING THEM FOR A FEW MINUTES, AN HOUR, WITH BOOZE, PILLS, MUSCLE WORK.....
As soon as the activity is over, those problems, well, they are still there. Many say the only WAY OUT IS THROUGH.
So, why don't we subsidize THOSE WHO HELP US FACE OUR PROBLEMS, IN ONLY ONE VISIT, AND NO REQUIREMENTS TO COME BACK.... AND ONLY WITH VOLUNTARY DONATION?
SOME OF US HAVE BEEN INTELLIGENT ENOUGH - AND MODEST TOO - TO ALREADY FOLLOW SUCH A TRADITION. WHAT'S WRONG IS NOT WHAT'S OUT THERE, ALTHOUGH THIS IS OUR CREATION, BUT AT THIS POINT IT IS ALL ABOUT THE MESS THAT IS IN OUR MIND, WHICH WE PROJECT ONTO THIS WORLD.
SHOULDN'T WE START AT THE BEGINNING?
We make such wrong choices because we only see our little world, our little interests. A system that makes us see reality, that we are sooooo small after all and so arrogant to treat our immense universe the way we do as if we were such pearls and such great masters, THOSE SYSTEMS NEED TO BE PROMOTED. IT DOES NOT COST MUCH, SO IF IT SEEMS TO HAVE NO RESULTS, NO PROB!
As for schools, and teachers, the latter can only work with the product of the parents, generally a total mental mess themselves. So, isn't it asking for much of our teachers? Solving the problems doesn't start at the leaves, at the buds, WE NEED TO GO TO THE ROOT. SINCE WE CAN'T GO BACK TO THE DEAD GENERATIONS, THE PRESENT ONES WILL HAVE TO DO. NO MORE BLAMING OUR GENES, OUR PARENTS, GREAT-GRAND-PARENTS, the president, prime minister, god.......
WE ARE OUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY AND THERE IS A WAY TO GET TO THAT CONCLUSION. IT REQUIRES TO SHUT UP, AND LISTEN TO OUR MIND DRIVING US INSANE. AND WE ACT WITH PEOPLE, WITH OUR WORLD, ACCORDING TO THIS INSANITY. THIS IS WHAT KIDS BRING TO SCHOOLS, TO THE TEACHERS. SO, WHAT DO WE EXPECT WITH OUR 'REWARDS' FOR TEACHERS. ISN'T THE MONEY CARROT ONE OF OUR WORSE PROBLEMS ON THE PLANET ALREADY????
GET PEOPLE TO GET ON THEIR BUTT FOR 10 OR 15 MINUTES AND EXAMINE WHAT'S ACTUALLY GOING AROUND AND AROUND IN THEIR HEAD.
T H A T WILL BE NEW! Get those Great Tibetans who volunteer to get us out of our soooo unhappy lives to give us a hand. They have for the last decades and so few had the chance to get off their butt... saner!
No building required, no membership, all is already in place.
IT IS A SHAME THAT STUPID USELESS COMMENTS ARE TAKING THE PLACE OF SOMETHING USEFUL AND BENEFICIAL TO ALL. THOSE who just come up with their little crooked opinions of what THEIR reality seems to be are only feeding others' anger and encourage their destructive ways of thinking, which leads to our detriment.
When we see the copycat shooting sprees of the world, it is obvious that more control on what comes out should be done. IF YOU EXPOSE MORE POSITIVE INTELLIGENT STUFF, WHO KNOWS, MAYBE SOMEONE WILL CATCH ON!!!
As a socail work instructor here in Calgary, I want to congratulate Lindsay for this important discussion. Mental health continues to lag in importance across Canada leaving many scarmbling to find services. Mental health is one of the poor cousins of the health care system. She is right - this is a community wide issue affecting all layers of society. Well done.
"proper treatment and social supports"
While I agree attention and change are needed, more specifics would be welcome.
I wish you all the best in your efforts!
I just hope that the Mental Health Commission listens to everyone who wants to share information.
The last time the Kirby Commission was asking for people's views across Canada, we at Pacific South Western Advocates (PSWA Canada)requested to attend and speak in front of the Commission, as many others were doing.
The Commission denied our request.
PSWA Canada had written our recommendations that all police in Canada should be forced by Law to provide Emergency room staff with an objective written report, and not just a subjective verbal report, so there would be no miscommunication between ER staff and police when police take citizens under Provincial Mental Health Acts.
In Dec, 2008, near Victoria B.C., Oak Bay police had transported a man under the BC Mental Health Act Section 28 to Royal Jubilee hospital for a mental health asssessment, police then left ER and came back one hour later to check on the man. E.R. staff told police they released the man, shortly after the man set fire to someone's house! The ER staff stated the police left only a verbal report and police did not state man was brought under Mental Health Act. police stated they did!
Quality of information is key, as other citizens may provide police with misinformation in order to get someone committed who should not be committed!
ER staff are so busy Multi-Tasking, they should never have to second-guess why police bring citizens to ER when only a subjective verbal police report is left, and nothing in writing.
mental helth issue most sirious issue.Iagree with this student
Lindsay I applaud you for your dedication to your community and your efforts at improving mental health care delivery. I live in the U.S. and, as the world knows, our health care delivery system is extremely poor. Without a doubt, mental health service delivery is even worse than physical health service delivery.
I am a social worker that focuses on child welfare. Poor mental health of a parent is a significant factor in putting children at risk of abuse and neglect.
Outside of families, in any U.S. city regardless of location or size, the mentally ill can be easily seen wandering the streets. YOu can pretty much bet money that none of these persons receive any type of medical treatment for their illnesses.
President Obama, I believe, is going to make serious positive change to our health care system. Hopefully this will start the process of allowing mentally ill persons to recover and live a positive life and receive the treatment that they deserve. I wish you luck with your work!
mental health is a big issue.people will never understand until you have one in your family. my sister developed a mental illness a some years ago and as a family trying to help her it always turned into a dead end.the system is not really there for them.i saw a girl that was highly intellgent and a good job turn into a street person. lucky for her our family and goods friends gave up alot of our lives to get her back on track. many sleepless nights.most of all the goverment needs to step in and teach people about mental illness and not so easily putting people back aon the street.
Mental health issues are not only at the bottom of the criteria list, most of the time they don't even exist. This to me, is a reflection of society as a whole. The shame that is attached to mental illness is the first issue that needs to be addressed. There should be more exposure and education about what mental illness is all about. At this point it is treated as some dark, dirty secret that no one wants to admit or address.
Because of the complexities involved in treatment it wouldn't surprise me that many upcoming students would shy away from choosing mental health as a career but I would bet that social stigma is the driving force behind that decision. As the problem with lack of services continues to worsen, it will force itself upon the public conscience and eventually something will have to be done. Too bad that we have to wait until things get so bad before anyone will wake up and take action.
I'm so glad this topic has finally gotten some exposure. My eldest brother is mentally ill and over the past fifteen years or so I've seen him rotate between centers for special needs, hospitals, residencies and group homes. Through out which he was seen and treated by many different specialists and put on many different meds all aimed at sedating him more than anything else.
If it wasn't for my mom's watchfulness, he may’ve been dead by now or much worse off. She was there every step of the way always challenging the specialists’ observations and recommendations and the meds they gave him. There are two types of people in our mental health system, incompetent ones and ones who are just burnt out from being overloaded by the shortage of resources.
Luckily my brother is in a great place with really great people now but given our past experiences we can’t help but worry about the future.
The mental health issue is huge. One of the problems is that it is not all that visible.
It takes an incident like the bus beheading to make us sit up and say, "Oh, there's a mentally ill person!"
We don't realize that many of the homeless suffer from bipolar disorders until they make some inappropriate utterance.
Many others (including us working stiffs) suffer from various degrees of depression, which is truly debilitating, and takes its toll on entire families.
Without the visibility factor, we can forget about the funding factor, especially in these strange economic times.
The human body and mind can stand just so much abuse. It is my observation that we are trained to think in terms of acquiring as much welth as possible, in as little time as possible, in order to be considered successfull. Some people even figure their life is wasted if not recognised before the age of 30. This 2 dimension thinking tends to maintains us in a constant state of survival and opens the door to mental illeness through sheer exaustion. More gouverment programs will not suffice. Mental illness is on the increase not only in the adult population but in chidren also. More and more children must recieve medication so they can keep up with school demands. At this rate, in a few years, abnormality might become the norme.
I applaude your efforts Lindsay. As a social worker recently relocated from southern Ontario to North Bay, I could not agree more with Lindsay's comments.
Congratulations on your article, your conviction and for bringing this matter to the attention of all Canadians. You will do well in your future career aspirations!
Well and simply said. Many people think that social and mental health concerns are somehow removed from themselves;that they are somehow immune or perhaps more capable than others to recover. This isn't so. Psycho-social adversity affects us all, we are all vulnerable to emotional or psychological conditions which may impact our livlihood, our families, and our dreams. As a nation, we need to restore and build upon, rather than displace, our social conscience.
Great work you are doing Lindsay. I have been involved in the addictions and mental health field for over 25 years. There is a definite lack in services; comprehensive assessments need to be completed and services matched to those needs. There is a lack of both and yet so much of applicable budgets are spent on administrative costs. There needs to be more transparency and accountability around the use of financial resources.
The priority needs to be on providing beds, appropriate therapeutic interventions and follow up services. While this may appear on the surface to be a difficult balance to achieve it is not impossible. The entire system needs more people like yourself committed to meeting the needs of those who are currently not in a position to speak for themselves.
My sister-in-law is mentally ill. It was not always so. It is the laughter of the child, the smile burried somehere in those eyes that we remember.
Removing fear and shame and loneliness from the human condition. The best of us composing melodies of compassion and tenderness in a world where there are seldom enough sufficient resources for the hopeless. We see them every day walking our streets, sitting in the cold and the rain, faceless at times reminding us of who and what we are and who and what we could be except for the grace of chance or opportunity or God...
The State supports them not too well, sometimes others too but it is never enough. They die regularly all too soon from the epidemics of living all too much too soon and always with too little. Their housing is poor or non-existent. Clothing is cast off rags. Their food irregular and diabetic in result. I have seen them in their state, confused and helpless.
They belong to nobody. They are my mother and yours too. They are my sister and my brother and yours too. They wander in the streets tortured on a moments notice about the things of life. They tire easy now as epidemic fevers wear away the beauty that one was their youth. The baby eyes, the pink skin. Long gone the childhood smile.
I passed somebody's son the other day. Sitting on the cold. The rain mask dripping off his chin. Another hungry tortured soul outside McDonalds royal palace of culinary delights. They sit there lots of them, ashamed they haven't even got a dollar to their name. And jobs are scarce .... we cannot hire crazy headed people at this time they say. Don't you know there is a great depression going on out there ...!?
Who knows it better than those who cannot help themselves. They are hungry. Hungry in Canada!
Sometimes we need to measure ourselve more by what we do than by what we do not do. Take action boldly to help those who cannot help themselves. Thanks to those who will and can help those who cannot help themselves. Thanks for being there for them when I could not be there. Thanks for reminding us of our responsibility to be compassionate and caring. Thanks for helping us all to make the world a place worth living in for all of us.
Let's take into account the valuable and insightful work being done in our communities by people who are in their recovery from any mental illness. They provide so many beneficial angles to the mental health system by facing up to the stigma and contributing to the greater society. Is it not pertinent to include the work we all do when we are in our recoveries to the bigger roster of governmental supports and hospital setting employment situations.
I'd like to see people in recovery as experts in the mental health field while shedding light on what works and what needs improvement in our system. Our peers can offer the most support and knowledge about the journey back from a mental illness and need to be heard as viable resources in creating a mental health structure that actually works for the people. Leadership begins with insight so let's hire and place people in recovery into positions that are effective for change and supporting those of us who need help to move forward with our lives.
You are absolutely right, Lindsay!
This is a very important issue, and when you say this is a community issue deserving a community response I could not agree more.
Lindsay, well said, it is nice to see a fellow student understand the complexities of mental illness. I focus on offenders with mental health problems, and for some of us again, we are only several steps away from being like them. Raising awareness like this along will go a long way in combating the stigma associated with mental illness and help others in realizing the range of impact it can have on them. Well done again, and keep it up. Go NU go!
I believe,that humans have to relize that when we our born, those first 6years are the creation of what that Person will be like in the future.
I am a 47xxy male, and at birth if I would have been tested for Klien Felter Syndrome, my life would have been completely different! At 53 years old. in Edmonton, I was told I was a Women in a Mans body and would I like a sex change,my whole life has been a nightmare.
Try being a Camp Cook in the N.W.T. on a Ship going up the MaKenzie River into isolation for 6mo. at 19years old.
Yahoo, was that an experience. Any ways now I am 58 years old and I can't find a DOCTOR,or get treatment, because I do NOT want to be STUDIED! What mental Heath Care, most of Edmontons Mentally iLL are on the streets of Edmonton and the only reason I'm not is I have WATCHED my family be torn appart because of Mental illness and there is NO cure and the medication side effects are worse, then the Syndrome.
The Doctors, who deal with Mentally ill, are over loaded and with mental illness Treatment is only a GUESS and Trial and error. What I have to ask is why the CANADIAN GOVERNMENTS are not taking responsiblity for not taking care of Mentally and Physically ill CANADIANS.
In Alberta. people go on AISH, which to live on $1088.00 a Month, if you have a mailing address and you can jump through all the Hoops the and find a Doctor who will put INK to paper and then watch your life fall apart because you have no support and you ask yourself whats the point, I will not remember none of this, what is the reason for me to be here, I am waiting to DIE........
as we try to integrate people with mental problems into society. who is responsible when people who suffer from schizophrenia and other ailments commit serious crimes e.g. beheading a fellow passenger on a bus.
since the individual cannot be held criminally responsible, these people are essentially free from prosecution. this leave good citizen's unprotected by the law.
It is wonderful that this issue is being brought to the forefront. We all walk a fine line, and it can take just one life changing experience to push us over that line.
Unfortunately poor mental health is often stigmatized, and the "embarassment" of admitting to it is even worse. As someone who sought help of a psychiatrist five years ago for depression (due to a serious illness of a close family member), I would often try to hide it, and saw it as a personal character flaw, that I was "less than", and "weak".
Since taking a low-dose antidepressant, my days are looking brighter and I hop out of bed in the morning with a bounce in my step. I am not an advocate of taking a "pill" to "fix" things, but I would wonder, what is the lesser of two evils, taking a medication, or lying awake all night with insomnia, and inability to think, concentrate or function properly?
I have lived my life by the popular saying "you never know until you walk a mile in someone's shoes" ... this issue is serious, and somehow the word needs to get out there.
I commend Lindsay for her writing ability and her ability to articulate this issue. I also think that her community at large will benefit from her approach and her wonderful, caring attitude in general.
It seems she is an extremely bright, compassionate young woman who is insightful ... and if she does make mental health a career option, then the people that she will be working with, will sincerely benefit from her insight and non-judgemental approach. I find it extremely refreshing. Great work Lindsay!
I am sick of hearing about "Mental Health".
Yes, there are "Mentally Ill" people, I don't deny that. However, It is WAY over used, and to broadly used! It appears Linsay Baxter only wants to add to the stupidity.
In this day and age of "everyone has a "Mental Health Excuse". It gets used for getting out of work, being on social services, not doing well in school, getting out of being responsible for crimes committed, etc...
I would rather see Mental Health role reduced rather than expanded. In my opinion, (generally speaking) Mental health is an excuse not a condition. It can't be accurately measured, so it becomes used as a tool. Mental Health personnel eat it up ... because that’s what they do!
COME ON! People NEED to account for their own lives. All the Mental "Hoopla" simply enables these wannabe's to ditch responsibility.
Concentrate funding and resources on people who REALLY need it! I think THESE people are the ones that will really hurt from Mental Health’s expanded role as funding gets diverted.
I'm sure all the Mental Health "Bleed Hearts" will jump all over my statement as uneducated, etc ..., but I DON’T CARE! It's over used and I'm sick of hearing about it, and sick of paying for it. In fact, I'm sure I can get a doctor to say I now have a condition from being exposed to the conversation!
I am one of those people who suffer with a mental illness (depression). For years I searched for help and answers. I had several "Break downs" or major depressive episodes that were never treated - until I hit a crisis point (pre-suicidal) before I was treated by my GP - not someone with the proper training to be handling someone with mental illness (especially in such a latent state).
I'm not sure how I survived it, but after that episode, I vowed I would do what ever I could to get the help I and others need before it reaches a critical state. That quest began 14 yrs. ago. Every time I went searching for answers or help I was pushed aside as I was not "sick" enough to deserve treatment. I'm not sure how sick one has to be with mental illness in order to qualify for "help/intervention".
I went through a very bad episode in 2002 and was hospitalized for 2 weeks. I had not been able to sleep, eat, or stop crying for weeks. I lost my job because of it - which added even more anxiety to an already dire situation and if it weren't for family and friends I would have ended up homeless.
There really is no preemptive services in place. You are either too sick or not sick enough - which of course is all subjective. I was told I "fell through the cracks", which was rather unfortunate I was told. I lost everything I spent my life building upon - not just materially, but emotionally, spiritually and physically. It should have not been allowed to happen, but it did.
I now live with my parents on $528.00 per month for rent, utilities, food, transportation, some medicines, clothes, and all other necessities. How can one survive on this?? I also had a welfare intake worker that played God with my life and refused to move my "file" - as I'm not a person from the emergency status to the illness/disability status for almost 1 year. That meant I was only allowed $30.56 every 2 weeks to live on.
I don't know how much more they expect one person to take. According to this person (with no medical qualifications) I was not "disabled" enough in his opinion & he refused to provided the medical forms for me to give to my Drs'. Forms that they require in order to process my claim. He felt I was not genuine and therefore faking my illness.
Not sure how one can fake a major depressive episode with written diagnosis from my GP, Psychiatrist & the medical specialist I saw while living in AB before coming back home due to being near destitute.
The problem is that everything in this society is REACTIVE not PROACTIVE. If I had been able to get the help I needed when I needed it, I probably would have had a minor set back and then been able to get my life back on track. Unfortunately that is not what the system & society allows so you have to keep tumbling until you hit a flat surface.
I won't say rock bottom, because in the past just when I think I have reached that point, I have found there is still further shame, humiliation, guilt and embarrassment that you have to endure before anyone will help you.
I am educated and have gone through a very intensive therapy treatment that has given me the power and voice to assert myself for my needs. But what happens to the others that are too weak, sick or capable of speaking for themselves?? I would never wish this on my worst enemy - but I am also grateful I have this illness to show me mine and others human failings. I am not afraid to admit I suffer from depression & try to break the stigma.
No one treats people with diabetes or high blood pressure, etc. differently when it comes to getting jobs, promotions, proper pay, but those with mental health are always being watch vigilantly like we are all suicidal maniacs. I have many ideas on how to change this system, but no one seems to be listening.
I knew nothing about mental illness.
I had no personal experience of it. It was embarrassing like trying to avoid staring at a person in a wheelchair. In the meantime I my partner, my brother and the partner of my oldest brother all suffer from clinical depression. I have known at least three other people that have suffered prolonged depressive episodes in the past. Until confronted with these illnesses I had no idea how debilitating and pervasive mental illness is. Mental health needs to climb higher in societies scale of health priorities and I believe it is because it seems to be occurring more and more often, but it should gain priority faster. Don't give up times are changing.
I am one of those people who suffer with a mental illness (depression). For years I searched for help and answers. I had several "Break downs" or major depressive episodes that were never treated - until I hit a crisis point (pre-suicidal) before I was treated by my GP - not someone with the proper training to be handling someone with mental illness (especially in such a latent state). I'm not sure how I survived it, but after that episode, I vowed I would do what ever I could to get the help I and others need before it reaches a critical state.
That quest began 14 yrs. ago. Every time I went searching for answers or help I was pushed aside as I was not "sick" enough to deserve treatment. I'm not sure how sick one has to be with mental illness in order to qualify for "help/intervention".
I went through a very bad episode in 2002 and was hospitalized for 2 weeks. I had not been able to sleep, eat, or stop crying for weeks. I lost my job because of it - which added even more anxiety to an already dire situation and if it weren't for family and friends I would have ended up homeless.
There really is no preemptive services in place. You are either too sick or not sick enough - which of course is all subjective. I was told I "fell through the cracks", which was rather unfortunate I was told. I lost everything I spent my life building upon - not just materially, but emotionally, spiritually and physically. It should have not been allowed to happen, but it did.
I now live with my parents on $528.00 per month for rent, utilities, food, transportation, some medicines, clothes, and all other necessities. How can one survive on this?? I also had a welfare intake worker that played God with my life and refused to move my "file" - as I'm not a person from the emergency status to the illness/disability status for almost 1 year. That meant I was only allowed $30.56 every 2 weeks to live on. I don't know how much more they expect one person to take.
According to this person (with no medical qualifications) I was not "disabled" enough in his opinion & he refused to provided the medical forms for me to give to my Drs'. Forms that they require in order to process my claim. He felt I was not genuine and therefore faking my illness. Not sure how one can fake a major depressive episode with written diagnosis from my GP, Psychiatrist & the medical specialist I saw while living in AB before coming back home due to being near destitute.
The problem is that everything in this society is REACTIVE not PROACTIVE. If I had been able to get the help I needed when I needed it, I probably would have had a minor set back and then been able to get my life back on track. Unfortunately that is not what the system & society allows so you have to keep tumbling until you hit a flat surface. I won't say rock bottom, because in the past just when I think I have reached that point, I have found there is still further shame, humiliation, guilt and embarrassment that you have to endure before anyone will help you.
I am educated and have gone through a very intensive therapy treatment that has given me the power and voice to assert myself for my needs. But what happens to the others that are too weak, sick or capable of speaking for themselves?? I would never wish this on my worst enemy - but I am also grateful I have this illness to show me mine and others human failings.
I am not afraid to admit I suffer from depression & try to break the stigma. No one treats people with diabetes or high blood pressure, etc. differently when it comes to getting jobs, promotions, proper pay, but those with mental health are always being watch vigilantly like we are all suicidal maniacs. I have many ideas on how to change this system, but no one seems to be listening.
I love you for writing this Linds.
Similar to my discussion on suicide rates among aboriginal youth, mental illness across every culture, age, religion, sex, etc. carries a great deal of stigma and shame and isn't selective in who it manifests itself in. Additionally, it is a major health issue that has been largely overlooked.
Fortunately, the Mental Health Commission of Canada (mentioned by several people) is a very good step in the right direction. They have formed a youth advisory committee that will be working on a national anti-stigma campaign that will address the negativities that are associated with mental illness. It is my hope for everyone- regardless of age, race, and socioeconomic status- that by removing the shame attached to mental illness more people will receive the attention they deserve.
Thanks again Lindsay- the message that you carry means so much to me and so many others who have suffered from a mental illness.
Mental illness is NOT an excuse for behaviour - it is a REASON for behaviour!
Diagnosable, treatable, curable, and above all, preventable reasons for behaviour.
Until an individuals specific mental illness has been diagnosed, and effective treatment has begun to alleviate the signs and symptoms, that individual should not be held morally or legally accountable or responsible for the behaviour associated with that mental illness.
Once that individual becomes aware of and fully understands that behaviour and is deemed to be capable of accepting responsibility for continuing his treatment on his own, then and only then should he be held responsible if he knowingly fails to continue that treatment and exhibits the behaviour.
It's a difficult concept for some people to grasp, but until such time as society acknowledges and accepts that principle, there will continue to be social injustices occurring. When we accept that principle, we can then work towards the elimination of much "criminal" behaviour, as the courts refer to it.
The behaviour associated with mental illness is not criminal in any sense. To suggest otherwise would only show a lack of intelligence, understanding, and compassion.
Medical and psychiatric science has found the means to cure and prevent much mental illness, but unfortunately, the uneducated working in our court system say no - it's all just "excuses" for behaviour.
You are a very intelligent woman, Lindsay! Your article is both inspiring and offering of hope to those experiencing mental illnesses or whom work in the field. I currently teach a course in Social Work and will be sharing this important article with my students next week! Great work once again on offering an educated opinion on a timely issue!
Lindsay Baxter, you are indeed wise way beyond your years. Your ideas make sense, considering that it ends up being more costly in the long run for the mentally ill to wander the streets without shelter or services. The Housing First Strategy in Portland, Oregon, which a delegation from my city had a look at, is proof of this.
Canada is faltering in looking out for its most vulnerable, and as a result, society itself is faltering. Keep up the good work and keep the pressure on. Your communication skills (clearly evident in the piece you have written here) will go a long way towards initiating some positive change.
I, too, battle bouts of depression, although I have been able to identify many of the causes as exterior and have been able to deal with them; yet, as I grow older and somewhat weary, it is becoming more difficult to avoid internalizing them. I am at the moment seeking some help to deal with the huge challenges that I face daily (I am a caregiver who also works outside) but so far the only thing I have been able to find is doctors that want to put me in a pseudo-narcotic fog with pills and more pills.
It's young folks like yourself, dear Lindsay, that afford me some hope. Your parents must be super-proud of you and they have every right in the universe to be beaming with that pride.
You ROCK.
To address allniter's comments, I am Lindsay's mother. I sincerely thank you for your wonderful comments, and I AM extremely proud of my daughter.
She is insightful, and above-all, an over-achiever who always strives for her best. She is compassionate and extremely analytical.
I know that she will do well in whatever career choice or life path she takes, and that this world is a much better place because of Lindsay!
You GO girl!
Love,
Mom xo
Your article is relevant and meaningful during current political and economic contexts. You deserve much credit for writing this and it is well articulated proving you will play a large role in the future for facilitating change!
Best of luck to you in your future endeavours. You are an intelligent, thoughtful, and understanding person that will benefit the lives of all that you work with. Great work.
I am really impressed with this young woman's perspective, and the fact that she has actually taken the time to write this article. Certainly a job well done. I am just finishing up my degree, and looking to make some career choices soon. Lindsay, you have certainly highlighted an area that I would be interested in pursuing. You have a vivacious smile and a wonderful attitude, I know you will do well! Thanks for making me realize what I believe I want to do with my career!
I am responding to the comments earlier, regarding the use of drugs to help with this unfortunate disease which is so profound and will require the professionals as Lindsay will certainly be after years of experience with dealing with patients in a voice to voice communication situation. The Text world we live in has its place here to help those not able to communicate and release the inner frustrations of mental challenges of life. SAY NO TO DRUGS replace with emotion expression, feelings. These words and use of the computers can never replace a circle of friends who understand. Once again ..its more than just words. Get out there, look around and listen. Mental outlook.
I am a single mother of a son diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia at age 16, my son is now turning 20 ,we reside in a small community in Alberta ..the lack of mental health care in Alberta is appalling!!..not enough doctors or long term care homes for the mentally ill.!!families are financially in hard ship because of caring for their mentally ill loved ones....forced to quit their jobs and the government is giving no financial aid for family caregivers! the government needs to reassess the budget for mental health!!