With the work being done at the FAME Toronto Office, the importance of Narrative and resilience through story telling has been an effective practice for families; particularly those who have experienced trauma in the family . With that, I was asked to speak last Wednesday,at the 3rd Annual Mindfest Seminar hosted at the University of Toronto. Mindfest is a collective meeting of professionals, speakers with lived experience and community agencies providing discussion on the various aspects and treatments of mental health challenges active in Toronto. Below is a copy of the talk given:
Discussion of mental health had changed in recent decades. Though, a great deal of stigma and discrimination still exists. Our acknowledgment of mental wellness as a component of health has been accepted. Additional to the advancements in therapies and available treatments has been inclusion of the subjective and personal experiences of those who live with mental health challenges. This inclusion within the dialogue of practice has promoted advocacy and awareness.
The importance of story telling has never been more significant then it is today. Much of our exposure within mainstream media depicts the mentally unwell as violent, deluded and dangerous. The initial conversations revolving around incidence of mass shootings, suicides, homicides and public incidence of destruction inquire the mental stability of the perpetrator. Though these horrific incidences require our full and immediate attention, we have gotten it all wrong. Our intention to discuss mental health at large has become a sub category to the need for gun control, larger prisons and the potential of exploring the institutionalizing of the unwell.
We have effectively isolated and perpetuated the stigma and severity of mental health challenges. Instead of listening to the needs of families and their unwell loved ones, we focus on diagnosis and political platforms intruding upon the expressed rights of such parties. Why does such dialogue hold weight over the experiences of those who have lived and died as a result of our lack of care? Simply, our system of practice, within the mental health field acts on the principles of intervention and not prevention.
We tell the stories of folly and failure. That which is our own in most cases. Our failure to recognize the growing instability of a person and ignore the pleas of their caregivers. We reflect upon the potholes in community and medical care that did not involve the discourses of those who lived with such experiences. Our platforms for advocacy and change come on the tidal wave of shootings, overdoses, suicides and breakdowns.
Only when we've realized the growing populations of homeless with mental health challenges, student suicides and self harm, assaults of those with illnesses, do we see that the story we are writing does not include the voice of those living it. We have to change. Our traditions have neglected the narratives of the author. We've spoken for those who can speak and done so without their consent.
We have an opportunity, a responsibility to listen. We have set a platform for discussion and must take care to use it wisely within our professional practices, communities and schools. Never before has there been such vast access to effective, fast and efficient means to communicate. We can reach millions within minutes of sending out our thoughts and feelings into cyberspace.
We must take the time to listen to those who are at the start of their challenges before it becomes severe. Our youth, our children, parents, siblings and spouses must have the assurance that their feelings are met with understanding and encouragement. Every story starts with an anticipation of being heard, being respected and having, through various mediums, an opportunity to share.
Our stories can empower us, they can inspire others and change minds across personal, public and professional spheres. We must learn to listen as a community and overall in our various societies. Listen to the voiceless, so that we can learn to change the way we speak.
Our commitment to storytelling, starts with the creation of safe spaces for such practice. These environments designed for the purpose of supporting those who need and want to speak up. When we make our community centres, schools and centres of practice safe spaces, we assure that others can speak with strength and the opportunity to feel heard.
Listening, is the simplest and most effective form of respect one can engage in. It allows us to learn and even reflect on our own misunderstandings and experiences. Listening, more than just hearing, holds us responsible to the act of change. It suggests that we have taken the time to learn and from that act upon what is expressed.
Our stories create change. Not only in our practices, but within those who feel just as isolated to share. It demonstrates that other can overcome and that resilience is possible. That our stigma and misunderstandings as a whole do not define us as a person. We are capable of growth and speaking up tells those who are isolated: you are not alone.
We can only encourage, empower and advocate once we realize, as allies, practitioners and caregivers:
That the only way to learn is to listen. The only means of prevention is to promote.
And we cannot speak for others, but with them.
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