Mental Health: A Special Series

In January of this year, The Mississauga News released a a three part special Series on Mental Health.  Topics range from personal stories, funding in peel, how the mental health system in peel is supporting the population; and how it's falling short.  I found it to be an incredibly in-depth series that examines the very real, and sometimes heartbreaking effects the mental health system in peel has on the families that are reaching out for support. Please take a look at this incredible series:
Part 1: Help....The Monsters Under my Bed are Real
Part 2: "The System Failed us"
Part 3: A New Frontier in Mental Health

I've found myself recently having a lot of conversation with families in Peel about the connections (or possibly missed connections) between the campaigns to end mental health stigma (Ex: Bell Let's Talk), and the funding that goes to the programs to help people when they are ready for support.  I was really struck by a Father who told me that although he's extremely encouraged by the advocacy and stigma campaigns, he has been increasingly worried about what happens when people feel more comfortable seeking help from our system If the funding still isn't there, wait lists, inpatient beds, and even crisis response may not be caught up to even access the services. Later that same day I came across this article from the National Post that sheds some light on people who are falling through the cracks of an overburdened system.

We have certainly come a long way in Mental Health Strategies in Canada, and  I truly believe that education is the first step.  We need to know how the system is working right now, in order to help make it better.  We can write letters, talk openly about it, bring forward the ideas of the families who are using the system themselves to make sure that the people who are really needing the help don't fall through the cracks.  Remember, as a community we have a lot of power.  We can work together to make a difference.

Telling our story of Living Mentally Well

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.

Project Semicolon

There are lots of different ways to start talking about mental health, advocating for yourself and supporting others.  Something that's gaining a lot of popularity right now is the Semicolon tattoo movement - which I love! A lot of individuals are using these tattoos as a conversation starter about mental health, and a reminder to themselves that their story isn't finished yet.  This project was originally started by Amy Bleuel of Green Bay, Wisconsin, who founded "Project Semicolon" in 2013 after losing her Father to suicide and dealing with her own mental illness.  There are so many ways we can spread awareness of mental illness, and even more so, to let people know they aren't alone.  We're all in this together!  
Here are some articles about the movement:

Article from The Star

UpWorthy article

Global News - tattoo raising funds for CMHA Calgary

How to FIX Canada's Mental Health System

I always have good intentions of starting my day reading the newspaper to find out what is happening in the world but, life gets in the way and day in and day out I am left in the dark. However, today I made it my priority to check out The Globe and Mail after one of the families I support tipped me off on a series called Open Minds, which features issues related to mental health research, diagnosis and treatment.

**Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #OpenMinds**

So, I utilized the lovely invention we call the internet, and pulled up an article in the series called "How to fix Canada's mental health system". This is a question that comes up daily in my interactions with people in the mental health community and with families whose loved ones are navigating the current fragmented system. I encourage you to check it out.
I am going to make reading or even skimming the newspaper for articles like this a daily routine, today is a new day to make a change and I sincerely want to stay connected with what is going on in the world and more specifically the mental health community. You know what they say...KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!!

The Complexities of Advocating for Your Loved One.

If you are supporting and caring for someone in your life with a Mental Illness, chances are you've been in the position of advocating for them.  Advocating takes place in many different situations, such as hospitals, with Doctors, schools, the workplace, and with friends and family.  Throughout the years of working with people, I've discovered that this can be an incredibly complicated position to be in.  I often hear Family Members question what advocating really is, who it's for, and what's the "right" way to do it.  Is it better to do what you think is best for your loved ones health, even though it may not what they want at this time?  Is it more helpful to let your loved one take the control of their own health, treatment and recovery?  The truth is that there's no right answer.  The word "right" doesn't have any meaning in something so complex.

Every family who comes through this door has discussed this idea, and how it can create a power dynamic inside the relationship between the caregiver and the care receiver.  Please CLICK HERE to read an amazing piece written by Mark Lukach.  He so powerfully shares his own story of caring for his wife through her mental illness, and has some great insight about what advocating means to him, and how this changes the power dynamic of their relationship.

I hope that reading the stories written by other caregivers can give some hope, peace and perspective to anyone who is struggling with their own uncertainty.

Treating Ontario's Mental Health

ARE THE KIDS ALRIGHT?

WHAT ARE THE CRACKS IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM? 

Four years ago, the Ontario government set out to overhaul a mental health care system which was failing the population it served. The first phase was to end to the mental health care of children and youth. Now they're looking at improving the system as a while. On December 10th 2014, The Agenda with Steve Paikin on TVO  examined how the province has fared and how it is positioned for the next three years. 

Representatives from Delisle Youth Services, CAMH, Children's Mental Health Ontario, Sound Minds Support Services and the Mental Health & Addictions Leadership Advisory Council discuss challenges and mental health plans moving forward. 

CLICK HERE for the video and to learn more! 

Happy Holidays Everyone! 

How one person explains their own depression.

I'm constantly trying to understand what mental illness looks like through the eyes of the person who is experiencing it.  I know that i will never really understand how another person is feeling, but listening and empathizing really helps with my own perspective and coping skills.  I often ask myself "how can i help this person or family if I have no concept of what they're going through?".  I have to remind myself that it's okay that i can't see through their eyes, but i can sure try to step into their shoes for a different view on..well...everything.

 I'm a huge fan of a blog of comics written by a woman who has experienced Depression.   There are two comics in particular about her struggle with depression that have gotten a lot of attention.  They're important to me because it's very personal, real and heartbreaking; while all the while adding in some humor which really  makes these feelings easier to relate to for people who have never experienced Depression.

Please visit  Hyperbole and a half: adventures in depression for the first part, and get even more perspective from Hyperbole and a half: Depression part 2.

NOTE: the above links contain some swearing.

Depression: The Misunderstood Epidemic

I came across a video which highlights people's stories, experiences and perspectives of depression. The hour long video showcases how people struggling with depression have overcome helplessness, hopelessness and despair, how loved ones have coped with it and created partnerships which have aided in recovery and wellness, and speaks to the fact that knowledge IS power.

I encourage you to take the time to understand Depression, a mental health issue that almost 3 million Canadians live with, and is believed to become the 2nd most common cause of disability worldwide by 2020.

Depression: The Misunderstood Epidemic 

Educate, Inform and Accept

End the Stigma around Mental Illness

International Family Equality Day

  Happy Belated International Family Equality Day!

On the first Sunday in May, LGBTQ family organizations from around the world join forces, to increase the international visibility of LGBTQ families. I hope the sunshine was beaming and burgers were delicious.

Cultural Perspectives on Mental Illness

The World Within a Block

Our brand spanking NEW OFFICE is located in St James Town, which is one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods in North America, Due to its cultural and minority demographics, St. James Town is often thought as "the world within a block" representing a large range of languages and cultures.

Being in such a culturally rich environment, I have taken a personal interest into attitudes towards mental health, these attitudes tend to vary among;individuals,families,ethnicities,cultures, religions, beliefs and countries.

For Example;
* Hawaiian Culture suggests chewing khat root, and hashish for mental health concerns.

*Indian Culture ties mental health into karma, the idea that one's actions in a past life determines ones present life's successes, seeing ones mental health illness as a result of the past life.

Moving Forward

In this world, it's much more common to see negative stories written about mental health than positive ones.  I believe it's important to share as many positive and hopeful stories as we can, so that we can start to erase the stigma that's out there.  Remember that the stigma associated with Mental Illness affects everyone involved, so we all have to work together!

Here's an article written by a young woman named Cooper Mall.  She shares the story of her struggle with Bipolar Disorder, and the path she made for herself that came out of it.  I wont' say anymore about it, so you better just read the article yourselves!  Just know that there are lots of hopeful and positive stories  out there; we just have to keep sharing them with anyone who will listen.

Strengthening Our Students

What are our post-secondary students up to?
I recently attended the 15th Annual George Brown Mental Health Conference, which got me thinking- What are our other post-secondary students up to?

I pride myself on being an Ontarian, and couldn't be happier to see that $27 million dollars worth of Ontario's comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy funding has been invested in post-secondary mental health projects.

Check out what some of our neighbours are doing :

University of Toronto-By Students/For Students
"A Digital Gateway for mental health, a new digital platform will allow users to pinpoint services in their own area using a mobile device or computer"

OCD by Neil Hilborn

A while ago, I came across this video on my daily internet scavenger hunt for Mental Health related goodies.  Neil Hiborn is a spoken word artist living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and i guarantee this poem will pull at your heartstrings.  It is really something to see someone expressing themselves with such beauty and power.
Hats off to you, Neil!