A NEW COLUMN TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF MENTAL HEALTH

A NEW COLUMN TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF MENTAL HEALTH MY NAME IS KATHY CUMMING and you may have read my letters-to-the-editor in previous editions of The Central where I described some of the challenges faced by those struggling with mental health issues. In this occasional column, I will attempt to share stories centered on people of my acquaintance who have been forced to cope with the many hardships associated with concerns over their mental health. I’d like to tell these stories in a unique way, with a focus on how they managed life, both at home and within their communities, and what they needed most in terms of care and support. I want to help by sharing their stories and describing, where I can, some of the alternatives to pharmaceuticals that may benefit others. Some of the topics within the field of mental health that are rarely discussed include the question as to who assesses the available programs, should it not be the families that actually use them. I will also seek answers as to who is best to determine outcomes and how we can move beyond simply asking families to “please fill out this survey”. The needs among those struggling are great, and include factors such as group home environments, dietary needs, assisted housing, employment, transportation, access to proper medical care, and even counselling in matters of faith and education. How can we help build that? DURING A CONFERENCE ON FUNDRAISING for Mental Health charities and non-profits, a gentleman walked up to our group and stated, "everyone has mental health concerns, and in reality it just depends on the severity" I had thought long about family members and others I knew growing up, and the complex names given to their various conditions. Friends I knew who had some form of simple anxiety could also be numbered among the people suffering from, as the fellow at the conference said, some type of mental health concern. I have spent considerable time visiting unique communities within North America looking for clues that would enable the creation of the perfect environment in which everyone with mental health issues may find peace. Such a place remains a mystery to me. I value your input as we move forward in our discussion. Let’s learn from each other.