The Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mental Health Week was May 5 to 11 this month, so what better time to delve into the topic of mental health and mental illness.
Mental health is something that affects all of us. When our mental health is good we have the foundation to handle the demands and challenges of daily life. However, when our mental health is not so good we may feel depressed and our ability to function effectively may be compromised.
In the Government of Canada’s publication The Human Face of Mental Health and Mental Illness in Canada, mental health is described as “the capacity of each and all of us to feel, think, and act in ways that enhance our ability to enjoy life and deal with the challenges we face.” This is different from mental illnesses that are defined as being “characterized by alterations in thinking, mood or behaviour — or some combination thereof — associated with significant distress and impaired functioning.”
Mental illness is a broad term for large categories of mental disorders that take many forms. Examples include: mood disorders, Schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, substance use disorders and addictions, and Alzheimer’s and associated dementia (see sidebar for more information). Also, while suicide is not considered a mental illness itself, it is often the result of underlying poor mental health.
“Mental illness can affect anyone. One out of six to 10 people will experience an episode of serious depression,” said Liam McEnery, Executive Director of the Capital Mental Health Association — an association that strives to enrich the lives of people living with mental illnesses and promote their integration into communities in the capital region. “Any of us can have a mental illness: our neighbours, the cash out person at the store, a teacher,” he said.
Mental illness is impartial to age, gender, economic standing, and cultural and educational background. Some causes that contribute to mental illness include genetics, biology, personality, socio-economic status and life events. Often times a mental illness can develop after a traumatic experience in someone’s life. “People can develop conditions after a stressful event, or loss of someone close to them, so stress can be a big factor too,” said Dr. Marita Schauch, a naturopathic physician at the Peninsula Naturopathic Clinic in Sidney.
Symptoms of mental illness vary from being mild, moderate or severe depending on the condition. They range from depression, to paranoia, to unhealthy eating, to hearing voices that no one else can hear. Symptoms are often beyond the control of the person experiencing them.
Because many symptoms of mental illness are the same as emotional reactions to life’s challenges, it may be confusing for someone to tell if the symptoms they’re experiencing are beyond a normal reaction. It’s important to remember that experiencing feelings of anxiety, sadness, anger and depression is normal. These are emotions that make up the human condition. It’s when these emotions start to interfere with how you function and deal with things at home, at work, or around your friends that they may require attention by talking to your family doctor, naturopath, or visiting a walk-in clinic.
“There’s a difference between someone feeling really sad because of losing a family member or going through a breakup, than someone with a mental illness. If you find a person grieves for a while and is able to deal with it after that that’s a normal reaction. But if the emotion carries on and affects the rest of their life then there are different signs to look for,” said Schauch.
While mental illness is widespread in our society, and most Canadians are or will be affected by it either directly or indirectly through family, friends and colleagues, there is a stigma attached to it. “Whether it’s serious or chronic or mild mental illness there’s a stigma around it. It’s the current battleground we have to deal with,” said McEnery.
Unfortunately this stigma has many negative effects. It can hinder people from seeking treatment, and it also affects people’s perceptions of individuals with mental illnesses. Part of the problem is that: “People are not knowledgeable to the causes and types of mental illness there are. People think that people with mental illness are lazy or that they don’t want to work, but that’s not the truth,” said McEnery. Media reports often emphasize a supposed link between violence and mental illness. However, the Canadian Mental Health Association points out: “most of the people who are violent do not suffer from mental illnesses … a look at the broader picture is essential.”
Most mental illnesses can be treated in an effective way. Different approaches include medications, psycho-therapies (for example cognitive therapy where patients learn to positively change their thinking, feelings, and behaviour), counselling, community support services, and education. The earlier treatment starts, the better. “The bottom line is that mental illnesses are eminently treatable — though, like cooking a meal for company, therapy nearly always succeeds better if you get an early start,” writes James Morrison in his book Straight Talk About Your Mental Health.
McEnery says that getting support and getting involved with a peer group can be beneficial, as well as reading self-help literature: “Having the knowledge helps move people along,” he said.
Many studies show that most people with mental illness can be helped through health professionals and community-based services. “I have seen enough of the research to know that healthy engagement with the community is very important for people’s health,” said Isobel Mackenzie, Executive Director of Beacon Community Services [BCS]. BCS is a non-profit agency that offers Mental Health Therapy, group support to those who wish to attend a psycho-social rehab program, as well as counselling for couples and family. They offer peer support services, as well as individual counselling by both professionals and trained volunteers. The volunteer Lay Counsellors provide support and guidance free of cost for people experiencing depression, anxiety, grief and loss, or various other mental health concerns. Anyone interested in seeking these services can call 250-655-5309. Furthermore, anyone interested in taking the training to become a Lay Councellor can call Berns Galloway at 655-5301.
Elaine Venables is the Director of Children’s Programs and Counselling Services at BCS. She emphasizes how important community-based services are for people with mental illnesses. “It’s integral to their well being. I’ve found that when they’re able to access services in the communities in which they live, it really helps maintain their wellness. Community-based services help normalize things for individuals — no one really knows why they’re there (at the community centre) and it takes away the stigma,” she said.
