Face-to-Face with Sandra Yuen MacKay

            My name is Sandra Yuen MacKay and I have schizoaffective disorder, a combination of schizophrenia and a mood disorder. The teenage onset of my illness was gradual–so much that I believed the voices and ideas in my head were real. Even after being diagnosed, I was entrenched in my false beliefs. Still I took my medication and fought to keep my head above water and live as normal a life as I could. My family suffered with me every time I experienced a crisis or ended up back in the hospital. It wasn't until my last major relapse at the age of 32, I realized I had to change my negativity and self-critical attitude if I was going to improve. I exercised at the gym and swam, introduced positive self-talk, learned about recovery, and rekindled my interest in painting. I began to write and get published. I made new friends. Recovery to me meant having purpose and happiness in life, finding a niche, and social inclusion. I redefined who I was as an artist, writer and public speaker. By becoming pro-active in my own recovery and aiding others by sharing my story, I evolved into a more confident, resilient, and mature Sandra.

            Nowadays, when I have an interfering thought, I question it. Is it true or part of paranoia? Is it similar to other delusions I've had in the past? Am I stressed about something else which is causing me to have a symptom?

            Everyone's story is different. There are mental health consumers who can't work and can't afford food or other needs even with disability assistance. But I believe recovery is possible with newer medications, improved care and supports, and increased government funding. If their basic needs are met, consumers have a better chance to recover. In British Columbia, Vancouver Coastal Health has opened over 200 new tertiary mental health beds, which will offer consumers holistic care and give them the tools to reintegrate into the community when they are ready. But there is more work to be done.

            The sooner one gets help the better the prognosis. Support from family and friends was crucial in my case. First, I had to believe in myself, educate myself about mental illness and create a wellness toolbox including a daily maintenance plan to keep well, stress management, coping strategies, and access to proper medication. I recognized small successes and replaced self-stigma with a better self-image and opened the door to take on new challenges.

            This year I also received the Courage to Come Back Award in the mental health category for people who have faced severe adversity, risen above it and given back to the community.

            To learn more about my memoir, My Schizophrenic Life: The Road to Recovery from Mental Illness, and my art, please visit my blog at: http://symackay.blogspot.com

Face-to-Face with Chantal Poitras

My name is Chantal Poitras. I am 31 years old and I live in Fredericton, New-Brunswick. I suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). When Mental illness came into my life in 2005, I felt that my life was falling apart. This is when I realized that something was wrong with me, but what? At the beginning, I was told that I suffered from a mild depression, due to my job and various events that happened that year.

I got over it, found another job, but still, something was not quite right with me. My behavior was often erratic and my suicidal thoughts were constantly present. A friend then told me about BPD and said that many of my behaviors seemed to fit the description I gave her. I started to do some research on the Internet. I read everything I could find on BPD. I finally had to admit it to myself. I probably had BPD.

In 2010, I went to see a psychologist. I told her I suspected I had BPD. She asked me to do several tests and came to the conclusion that indeed, I had BPD with depression, anxiety and aggressiveness. However, it was only in January 2012 that this diagnosis was added to my medical file. Now, I can finally have the appropriate therapy for BPD, a group therapy named STEPPS.

Recovery is possible, but you have to work hard. You have to seek the help that works for you. The first step I took towards my own recovery was to send an email to the Canadian Mental Health Association in my area. I felt lost, I did not know where to find the help I needed and they took care of me. They knocked on doors for me when I did not have the strength to do it myself. It is important to talk to someone who can help you find the help you need, if you are not able do it for yourself.

Living with mental illness is difficult, yet not impossible. Life can still be beautiful, but you have to accept that there will always be ups and downs, more so than for most people. You can still accomplish great things, have a full time job, a family and friends, and most important, you can realize your dreams. However, you must seek help, always continue therapy treatments, even if sometimes it is hell; it takes time, but eventually, hope returns.

The Blue Veil - by Leigh Turgeon

The Blue Veil cannot be allowed to oppress,

So listen, understand, you could change a life.

-The Blue Veil, 2012, Leigh Turgeon

I have personally been dealing with depression for a long time. At first I was unaware of what was happening to me and felt terribly alone even in a crowd of people. I wanted to cry when all my friends were laughing. Then I attempted to get help and was told I would be taking medication for the rest of my life, news which in itself was even more depressing. It felt like I was slipping and sliding down a dark path alone and I could not go back or even change my direction it was just down, down, down.

One night, on a very rare occasion that I had gone out with my friends, I sat there looking around the table and it dawned on me that none of my closest friends, confidants, former roommates had a clue of the inner turmoil that I was dealing with, I had successfully ‘veiled’ this pain from them until I had totally isolated the sadness internally. I longed to be in touch with these women again. As I looked around the table I envied their happiness. So at that moment I blurted out, “So, I have depression…I’ve had it for a while…and I am going to write a book about it and call it ‘The Blue Veil.’ Everyone sat there stunned at my admission, but wow did it feel good! So, ‘The Blue Veil’ was born.

I would never want anyone to ever felt as alone, trapped and misunderstood as had felt. I wanted to promote depression awareness on three levels. The three levels of awareness I mean are depression self-awareness, depression awareness for family and friends living with a depressed person, and depression awareness in the community, such as in the workplace, community or school environments.

Well, I am one person. While it is my goal to have ‘The Blue Veil’ have a global reach, I chose to support 15 depression awareness organizations to support with proceeds from the book, as they are all organizations that provide support for people with depression and anxiety and victims left behind by suicide. Most of them are national organizations for six different nations including the U.S., England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and Australia. All of them are established, legitimate organizations which have helped hundreds of thousands of people and I am proud to associate my story and experience with them. I never wrote the book to make money. I wrote it so that no one ever feels trapped behind the Blue Veil, stifled by depression the way I did on that night out with my friends, when it dawned on me that none of my closest friends had a clue of my inner turmoil.

I, as it turns out, will not be taking medication for the rest of my life. Did you know that depression can have remission? I am now walking on a lighter path and I could head in any direction I want. All I know is that it will be forward, forward, forward.

10th Annual Champions of Mental Health Awards Gala: A Great Success!

The Champions of Mental Health Awards Gala, held on May 7, 2012 at the Chateau Laurier, was once again an overwhelming success! This year marked the 10th anniversary of Champions and the event was met with an outpouring of support and recognition. The Gala brought together prominent political figures, business leaders, members of the national media, and sponsors to recognize and celebrate the outstanding efforts of individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the mental health agenda in Canada.

Several public figures attended the Gala this year in support of Canada’s mental health community, with 32 Parliamentarians in attendance including Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, Minister of Labour the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Finance the Honourable Jim Flaherty, and House Leader the Honourable Peter Van Loan. The Gala also included a few new elements from previous years, including a red carpet arrival for guests and the addition of a reception room where guests could mingle and pose for photographs. Photographs from the evening are available for viewing at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/miawcanada/

We were please to recognize five exceptional Champions this year, each of them having worked tirelessly to increase awareness surrounding the importance of mental health and to create positive changes in their own mental health community. This year’s winners in each of the five categories were:

Community Individual: Michael Landsberg, TSN Broadcaster
Community Organization: Cardinal Newman Peer Mentors, Stoney Creek,
Ontario Public Sector Individual: Senator W. David Angus, Q.C., Ad E.
Private Sector Individual: Scott Chisholm, Founder of the Collateral Damage Project
Researcher: Dr. Trang Dao, Psychiatric Researcher and Advocate for the Mentally Ill

We would like to offer our most sincere congratulations to this year’s winners, and a heartfelt thank you to all nominees for their support, dedication and commitment to Canada’s mental health!

The Champions of Mental Health Awards Gala would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors – Bell as our presenting sponsor and the generous contributions of RBC, Janssen, Rx&D and Eli Lilly.

The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health Promotes the 10th Annual Champions of Mental Health Awards Campaign

CAMIMH Seeks Nominations for the Latest Champions of Mental Health

The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is excited to have launched the tenth annual Champions of Mental Health Awards and is looking for nominations from members of the public!

The annual Champions Awards are a national awards gala which brings together political decision makers, business leaders, members of the national media, sponsors and other stakeholders to celebrate individuals and organizations whose exceptional support have advanced the mental health agenda in Canada in the past year.

This is a unique opportunity for Canadians from all regions and backgrounds to nominate an individual or an organization that they think has made a remarkable contribution to mental health in Canada. In extraordinary numbers, Canadians are coming forward to help advance the mental health programs in this country and to reduce the stigma that has been associated with mental illness for far too long

The Champions Awards are held in Ottawa each year with awards given to individuals or organizations who have contributed significantly to Canada’s mental health agenda. Past Champions include The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, the Honourable Lisa Raitt, and Margaret Trudeau, among many others.

This year, the national gala for the Champions Awards, will be held at the Château Laurier on May 7th, 2012. Nominations are accepted in several categories, including private sector; public sector; research; community (individual), and; community (organization).

To nominate a Champion, please visit www.miaw.ca for details. Submissions will be accepted until March 31st, 2012. The Champions Awards winners will be selected on April 10th, 2012.

For more information or to book tickets, please contact:

Kalene Tilson, Champions Awards Organizing Committee
Tel. : 613-233-8906 Email: champions@miaw.ca

Meet Bethany Butzer

Through this year's Mental Illness Awareness Week, we came in contact with Bethany Butzer. Read her story below to see what elements aided in her recovery from mental illness.

Bethany Butzer

I'm an author, speaker, researcher and yoga teacher who provides inspirational products and services that help people manage their stress and mood. I suffered from anxiety and depression in my early 20s, and I've made it my mission to motivate others to achieve their highest level of mental fitness.

My book, The Antidepressant Antidote, chronicles my personal struggles with anxiety, depression and a dependence on antidepressant medication. I also share how I finally managed to get off the medication for good.

I truly believe that everyone is meant to enjoy optimum mental health. All of the products and services that I offer, from my writing, speaking engagements and research projects to my yoga classes for anxiety and stress, are geared toward making the world a better place by nourishing and honoring our mental wellness.

I received my Ph.D. in psychology in 2008 from the University of Western Ontario, Canada. My early research focused on anxiety and depression, which was, as you might imagine, somewhat depressing! So, after spending several years studying psychopathology, I changed my focus to positive psychology, which emphasizes the development of human strength and potential. My dissertation research on the psychology of romantic relationships garnered the Martin E. P. Seligman Award for Outstanding Dissertation Research in Positive Psychology.

After receiving my Ph.D., I originally planned on becoming a psychology professor. But the ivory tower lifestyle just didn't feel right for me. I wanted my work to be consumed by and have an impact on the general public. So I turned down a fully-funded postdoctoral research position to take a job in the private sector as a Research Analyst for Info-Tech Research Group, a leading IT Research Firm.

After almost 2 years in the private sector, I realized that the 9 to 5 cubicle life wasn't for me either. So I made the bold (and scary!) decision to quit my job to start my own business as a Mental Health & Wellness Advisor. Following my passion has been an amazing journey filled with both incredible joy and the occasional dark night of the soul.

Today, I fill my days doing what I love: writing, speaking and research. As an example, I'm currently collaborating with Kripalu's Institute for Extraordinary Living, Harvard Medical School and the Yoga Care Foundation to conduct studies on the effects of yoga on well-being.

I'm also a certified yoga teacher and have completed over 200 hours of training in yoga postures, philosophy, breathing techniques, meditation, anatomy, and ayurveda. I've also received life coaching training from the Coaches Training Institute (CTI), and I have my first degree Reiki certification. I'm a member of the Canadian Yoga Alliance (CYA) and the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT).

In addition to my book, I've published professional papers in several leading psychological journals, including Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin and Personal Relationships. I've also won numerous national and international awards for my achievements.

A unique aspect of my approach is that I've not only studied the topics that I'm passionate about - I've also lived through them. I combine my professional training with my personal experience to provide products and services that are both empathetic and backed up by solid research. I've personally overcome the obstacles of a rocky childhood, anxiety, depression, and a dependence on antidepressant medication. I've experienced grief, loss, abuse, abandonment, burnout, and almost everything in between. I've been to doctors, therapists, psychiatrists, and http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifI've tried many forms of alternative medicine. And I've come out on the other side.

Based on my familiarity with both the dark and light sides of life, my style is down to earth and approachable, and I have an extensive knowledge of the services that are available to those in need.

To connect with Bethany or learn more, you can visit her website http://www.bethanybutzer.com/.

You can share your story by connecting with us on Facebook at the Face It: Mental Illness Awareness Page, or on Twitter, @MIAWCanada .

Road to Learning: challenging stigma and discrimination

A study by the American Psychological Association shows that young children are less likely to receive treatment for mental issues than adults. Why is that? They may be shy to seek help or think they will “grow out” of their problems. So, what can we do to help these kids who are living with mental illness?

Ontario recently announced new funding to put mental health workers and nurses in schools to help 9,000 kids. Thanks to this money, these workers will be able to offer training for educators on how to identify mental health issues. This is a great way to promote education, prevention, and early intervention! If teachers can begin to educate students and raise awareness in the classroom, it will certainly help some children feel more comfortable seeking help.

Young people need a place where they can openly discuss what they’re feeling without being judged. A healthy school environment can help to improve students’ well-being. We’re thrilled to see a provincial government tackling these issues. This strategy will build awareness, help to reduce stigma, and identify problems early on.

How important do you think it is for educators to be trained to identify mental health issues?

Healthy Body = Healthy Mind

Mens sana in corpore sano is a famous Latin expression that means a healthy body can sustain a healthy mind. Exercise is not only a great way to develop a lean body, muscles, and a strong heart, but it’s also been shown to help keep us mentally fit too. There are many medical articles and research studies that show the benefits of exercise on mental health and mental illnesses including depression or anxiety. Exercise can also help our bodies deal with stress. One recent study revealed that taking a short eight minute walk can help decrease tension and boost your mood. Even short bursts of exercise can make a difference, which means you don’t have to spend long hours at the gym!

Tips:

• Exercise 20 minutes a day, or 30 minutes three times a week to help boost your energy;
• Remember physical activity can include a range of things like playing outside with your children or pet(s), dancing to your favourite music, gardening, or going for a brisk walk;
• Increase your motivation by going with a friend;
• Keep a journal to track your progress;
• Get out there and have fun!

Do you think exercise has a positive influence on your mental health?

Great news! New government funding for kids’ mental health

There’s been a lot of talk lately about youth who face mental health issues. According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, two-thirds of adults report that their mental health issues first appeared during childhood. That said, we’re happy to see the Government of Canada and the provincial and territorial Ministers of Health making mental health promotion and support a top priority by investing millions in funding to support positive mental health for children and youth.

Thanks to this funding, so many great community projects will be able to continue providing much needed mental health support services! One project, Handle with Care, offers training for parents and other caregivers in communities that are prone to stress and mental illness, including newcomers to Canada. The program assists people from coast to coast to better understand how to support children living with mental illness. We’re so pleased that this, and many more programs, will benefit from this government funding!

Share your thoughts: Do you know any programs in your community that are helping kids overcome mental health challenges?

Overcoming challenges

Our recent Facebook Page question “Have you ever struggled to find support for mental health issues?” got the MIAW team thinking...

We know the stigma of being labelled with having a mental illness keeps many people from seeking help. There have been several recent news articles about the widespread challenges facing young people who need to access mental health support. There are also studies that indicate that men, in particular, may face different issues than women.

What do YOU think are the major challenges to seeking help or finding support for mental health issues? What are some of the ways you can overcome them?

Marc's Story

Every year, we connect with so many great people through our Face Mental Illness Campaign. We meet people from across Canada with unique experiences with mental health and mental illness.

Marc is one of the people we met this year. Here's his story:

In my view, mental illness means a disease or ailment that affects the brain and/or mind. Such an ailment affects the way one thinks, feels, acts, and engages in society. Chemical imbalances and heredity are thought to be contributing factors regarding mental illness. I first experienced mental illness visiting my mother in the hospital when I was a kid. She has manic depression, a.k.a. bipolar disorder. I have chronic depression and take meds daily, for me, my downward spiral began in high school, and it’s been an uphill battle ever since, even being hospitalized a few times. I want to talk openly about it because it is a very real thing in our society, it has affected me and my family my entire life. It’s something that should no longer be ignored or frowned upon in society. Unless you’ve experienced it, you wouldn’t understand what it’s like. It can be very difficult having a mental illness, and/or living with someone who has it, or even knowing someone who has it.

The stigma (ignorance) that still exists in society today is why depression is treated differently than diabetes, cancer or other harmful physical illnesses. It isn’t fair because all illnesses affect a person’s health to a certain degree, no matter the severity. Mental illness does scare me, speaking from experience, as it relates to depression, I’ve had suicidal thoughts countless times, but I’ve managed to survive one way or another, I would say primarily with the support and love of my parents, especially my dad. I believe people can recover from a mental illness, with the right medications and psychotherapy, their lives and symptoms, including emotional and thought patterns, can be controlled. My emotions vary from anger to loneliness to guilt surrounding mental illness, including depression in particular, which to this day I still struggle with, some 20+ years later, perhaps even longer, as it relates back to an event in my pre-teen years, when me and my family moved, for the first time. My mother has struggled with bipolar for 35+ years roughly.

Lastly, I still know when something’s wrong, it’s like she becomes a completely different person, similar to someone being drunk and affected greatly by alcohol. I am currently an award-winning volunteer and aspiring writer. I live the http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifonly way I know how to now, throughhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif thick and thin, one day at a time, good, or still bad.


You can share your story with us by connecting with us on Facebook at the Face It: Mental Illness Awareness Page, or on Twitter, @MIAWCanada .

www.mentalwellness.ca

Our sponsors over at Janssen have launched a great new online resource for those affected by schizophrenia. Visit www.mentalwellness.ca and find a wealth of information about schizophrenia for patients, caregivers and healthcare providers. This includes outlining treatment options, ways of recognizing symptoms, avoiding relapses, and tips on how to educate others on the disease.

Most notably, www.mentalwellness.ca features a series of videos called “Spend A Day In My Life”. These four videos reflect everyday scenarios experienced through the eyes of someone with schizophrenia – being at the doctor’s office, on the bus, at the pharmacy, and being in the midst of a schizophrenic “mindstorm”. Watching these videos allows you to step into the mind of someone living with schizophrenia.

Take a moment to visit the website and tell us what you think. Does experiencing these everyday moments from inside schizophrenia give you a different perspective on the disease and the people who live with it? How can videos like these help promote awareness about schizophrenia?

Jobs & Mental Illness

A recent article in the Toronto Star by Dr. Kwame McKenzie explored the topic of jobs as a lifeline for those living with mental health. The writer explains that his job really helped him integrate into his community when he moved to Canada. However, he writes that many of his clients living with mental illness are not so lucky, as the stigmas surrounding mental health are so negative that they have a difficult time finding employment.

Stigma is still proving to be a big problem for those living with a mental illness and looking for a meaningful job. Dr. Kwame’s article states in his article that study after study has confirmed that having a job actually improves the quality of life for those living with mental illness. Unfortunately, employers are sometimes hesitant to give those living with mental illness a chance. Productive work is a key part in promoting and achieving positive mental health. So why is more not being done to help those living with mental illness secure employment opportunities?

Recovery from mental illness is possible, and a rewarding job may be an important stepping stone on this path.

Do you have any thoughts on how we as a society can help break down these barriers and encourage employers to give those with mental illness a chance to be a significant contributor to their organization?

Let us know what you think!

Mental Health News Update: April 29 - May 5 2011

We're back this week with a look at some of this week's news stories on mental health.

This week is Mental Health Week (May 1st-7th 2011). Did you know that the Canadian Mental Health Association's Mental Health Week is celebrating 60 years? MHW continues to make a great impact across the nation. What an amazing achievement!

• The Toronto Star’s healthzone featured an article about the new Centre for Addiction and Mental Health opening in Toronto.


• The Vancouver Courier published an article about Mental Health Week celebrating its 60th anniversary. Mental Health Week was also covered in many other local and community papers.


• The Vancouver Sun reported on a new mental health facility to be built at the Lions Gate Hospital in North Shore, B.C.


• On Monday, May 2nd 2011, past Champion of Mental Health, Margaret Trudeau, spoke to a large crowd in Belleville, Ontario about her struggles with mental illness (via The Intelligencer).


• Coast Mental Health published a story about one of this year’s Courage to Come Back Award recipients, Curtis Baldwinson.


• As part of Mental Health Week, The Montreal Gazette examined the links between depression and work environment. The article includes tips about symptoms and ways to deal with stress.


• The National Post reported about the play “Crazy Man” which helps to inform children in Toronto about mental illness.


• Toronto kicked off Mental Health Week on May 1st 2011 with a walk to raise fund for Kids Help Phone (via The Digital Journal).


• The Toronto Star reported on new research linking dropout rates to mental health, and encourages the adoption of more mental health programs in schools.

How are you celebrating Mental Health Week? Share your thoughts on Mental Health Week and other mental health issues here , or on our Facebook Page.

Happy Mental Health Week everyone!

Mental Health News Update: April 15-21 2011

Here's a look at some of the mental health headlines for the week of April 15-21, 2011.

• On Thursday, April 21, 2011 the Amherst Daily News wrote an article about the ‘Minds in Motion Walk’ that will take place on May 4th 2011 to raise funds for mental health. This will be the 4th annual walk to raise money for mental health.
  


• Also on Thursday the West Carleton EMC reported on the ‘Do it for Daron’ event which raises funds to develop tools to assist in youth mental health.


• The Pincher Creek Echo wrote an article on Thursday taking issue to the high rate of suicides in Canada due to mental health and encouraging people to speak up about their difficulties.

Do you have more mental health news to share? Post your links below!

You can also share news on the Face it: Mental Illness Awareness Facebook Page.

Mental Health News Update: April 9-14 2011

Here's a look at some of the mental health headlines for the week of April 9-14, 2011.

• On Saturday, April 9, the Vancouver Observer did a story on comedian David Granirer, founder of Stand Up to Mental Health.



• On Monday, April 11, the Toronto Star reported on the appointment of Pat Capponi, a woman living openly with mental illness, to the Ontario Consent and Capacity Board.



• Also on Monday, The Province reported on Amanda Schell, a recipient of the Courage to Come Back Awards.



• On Tuesday, April 12, the London Free Press reported on renewed funding for a study examining the relationship between poverty and mental illness.



• On Thursday, April 14, the Ottawa EMC reported on the launch of CHEO’s 2011 “Let’s Keep Kids out of Hospital” awards, recognizing teachers, volunteers, coaches, and social workers, who work to prevent injury and illness in children and youth.

Do you have more mental health news to share? Post your links below!

You can also share news on the Face it: Mental Illness Awareness Facebook Page.

Mental illness runs strong in my family.

2010 Face of Mental Illness, David, share his thoughts about mental illness and his family.



Mental illness runs strong in my family. Many of my family members past and present have experienced all or some of schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. I find it quite interesting that many family members are reluctant to get help--such as psychosocial-rehabilitation counseling and medication additions and/or adjustments--but my family was quite adamant about getting me help, starting with hospitalization, then outpatient psychiatric treatment, and finally one day a week counselling at CMHA Winnipeg Region within the Rehabilitation and Recovery program with a highly skilled, hard working, dedicated, and empathetic community mental health care worker.

Now I am the family member who has schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety under control with sufficient appropriate medication, and effective stress management, organization, and time management skills. I am in the position of helping my family members not simply cope but to advocate for them to get the mental health care help that they need. It is hard though since--for reasons unexplained that I cannot yet figure out--they are reluctant to follow the path of recovery that I took even though they know it works. As such, it is quite frustrating for me to be somewhat powerless when trying to help my family, especially since one family member is experiencing what I experienced to such a degree that it is like déjà vu for me. It is like I am re-living the acute mental illness again with him rather than the chronic stage of mental illness effective management that I was at before he needed a calming communication outlet that I provide. My family helped me, now I must help them.

I think it is important for families to realize the challenges of helping or caring for family members with mental illnesses and in fact, watch out for "transference" since it is stressful for family members in this position of care for an individual with a mental illness. This is a reason why we need to strongly address barriers to mental health care system access. During Mental Illness Awareness Week, I will be participating within a two day forum entitled "Which Doors Lead to Where: How to Enhance Access to Mental Health Service: Barriers, Facilitators, and Opportunities for Canadians' Mental Health. It is important to consider community mental health care services such as the related mental illness support groups (4 Fort Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, has a multitude of mental health organizations and mental health peer support groups which can be very helpful as I found when talking during patient to patient group therapy while living at the three psychiatric wards that I was committed to by family). Additionally, there are other resources for the mentally ill family member and the other family members at CMHA Winnipeg Region which includes workshops such as Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mental Health First Aid, and Live Life to the Ultimate.

David Albert Newman, CGA, CIA, ACCA (UK), B. Comm. (Hons.) with Distinction
"Anything is possible if we let our mind wander away from standardization towards creativity."
φ = π – 2^2/φ^2 + e

Marie's vlog: How you can heal

Here is a regime Marie uses daily that has helped her maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Anyone with mental illness can move to wellness and recovery, but it takes work. Take a view on what has helped Marie!

Blinked and missed Blind River, so sprung into Spragge

Checking in with Ted "dr. j" Jablonski on his SAD no more 2010 Canadian Tour. Here's what Ted's been up to.

SNM Tour Day 38



It poured most of the night off and on. So what started out looking like a potentially very rainy day (again) turned from overcast, to cloudy to clear and SUNNY - it was a glorious and much needed! As much as the sky changed, so to did the landscape, transforming from rock and lakeshore to lush farmland and back again. From coniferous outcroppings to deciduous forests, from fishing camps to livestock farms and everything in between. The wind was breezy and gusty at times but overall we got in great mileage and it was a good solid day on the road. We wanted to get at least to Blind River but ended up going past to camp out in Spragge.

When I saw a flock of Canadian Geese honking overhead in a ragged V, I thought it was Fall again. When it warmed up and the sun was shining, summer was giving in that easy in Ontario and this is great, I could easily take a few more weeks of sun and heat - bring it on. We saw an unusual number of hawks today, one which flew along the highway with us for quite some time. There was at least one large eagle, a gigantic osprey nest on a railway pole, and some very large geese in a field (?snow geese - no white markings of a Canada Goose and creaked instead of honked.

Les got a early morning run in again today (Joe, she's been fooling you all these years - she loves getting up early and exercising!!) and Monique got in a cycle this afternoon. I think we've moved from camps to cottages and I had to bite my tongue not to stop and go look at lakeshore developements which were springing up all over the route we were travelling on, I know, I know - I've got enough properties, but it can't hurt to just have a look, can it??

Tour Day Sponsor is Alberta College of Family Physicians - thanks for the acknowledgement and support.

Random quote of the day
"There's no place like this"
on an Ontario travel brochure "Yours to discover" (OK, and we are!!)
can't argue this point as we're making our way across this immense province.

a bit of Canadiana with Ted's Tiny Trivia Teaser

The three Bruce brothers; Elliott, Thessalon and Desbarats started the first Copper Mine in Canada (aptly called Bruce Mines) which unfortunately adversely affected a significant number of workers, blinding them from copper poisoning mostly around the area now known as Blind River.

A little known fact - TRUE or FALSE

As our cell phones now have service again, we were finally able to talk to Gabrielle who is coming back from a special wedding just outside of Halifax made even "more special" by Hurricane Earl - a true candlelight cermemony, reception, after party etc etc. One everyone will certainly remember!

Follow Ted's tour travels on his SAD no more 2010 blog

Stigma

2010 Face of Mental Illness, Jennifer, responds to a reader comment on a recent Sudbury Star article about her experiences with mental illness. Read the original article here, the reader comment here and Jennifer's response below.



Maybe Harold A. Maio from Florida is right - that Stigma is a poor word choice attached to mental illness.

Maio responded to a Sudbury Star article about me, and iterated why the word was a poor choice to use. He wrote, " ... I do not associate stigmas, no matter who the authority attempting to persuade me. It is a choice I made following the women's movement, which refuted our pretense of the "stigma" of rape. "
Then he went on, "I am sure Ms Forsythe, trained in psychiatry, and president of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada, is aware of the psychology of the term and those who impose it. She errs to be among them."

What does Stigma mean anyway? Well, let's examine the definition of Stigma: a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as one's reputation.

Hmmm... now I can agree with Maio's comment, and see that it has a very negative connotation. A connotation that we are trying to erase, right?

The synonyms for Stigma are equally negative and offensive: bar sinister, besmirchment, black mark, blame, blemish, brand, disfigurement, disgrace, dishonour, imputation, lost face, black mark, scar, spot stain......wow eh?

For myself, I can't see living with bipolar disorder as a mark of disgrace or infamy, nor a stain on my reputation. In the story, I had told the journalist, that at times, I consider bipolar disorder to actually be quite helpful.

So, what other word can we use instead of that one? How about Stereotype? Here's the definition of that word: 1. An idea, trait, convention, etc., that has grown stale through fixed usage. 2. A set of inaccurate, simplistic generalizations about a group that allows others to categorize them and treat them accordingly.
And the synonyms for Stereotype include: pigeonhole, institutionalize, convention, formula, mold, pattern.

I really do believe Stereotype is a better word to use... because after all, the stereotypes of mental illness include words like crazy, insane, coo-coo, weird, loony, crackpot, out to lunch, schizo, wacky and so on....

And by the definitions of both words, Stereotype is perhaps more suitable because words and phrases associated with mental illness have grown stale, and are broad sweeping generalizations and tend to pigeonhole people who live with mental illness.

Through the MIAW campaign, it's stereotypical thinking that we're trying to eliminate, through shedding light on mental health issues, as well as showing Canadians through the Faces campaign, that there are success individuals living very productive and happy lives.


Chi miigwetch,

Jennifer Ashawasegai