An all-party committee of MPP's in Ontario held a news conference last week supporting a new, interdisciplinary, cohesive program for those dealing with mental health issues. They were supported by former figure skating star Elizabeth Manley who has successfully addressed anxiety and depression in her life. They feel that we are at a crisis point in this province and offered 23 key mental health recommendations in a document called Navigating the Journey to Wellness.
The main recommendation is the creation of an umbrella agency, Mental Health and Addictions Ontario, to design, manage, and coordinate the mental health and addictions system, and to ensure the consistent delivery of programs and services across Ontario.The Committee's other recommendations include:-
The consolidation of all mental health and addictions programs and services in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
-The availability of a core basket of services in all regions ofOntario
- Access to system "navigators" who can connect people with the appropriate treatment and community support services
- The provision of additional affordable and safe housing units
- Increased respite care to provide more support for families andcaregivers- The creation of a task force to examine Ontario's mental health legislation.
Mental health is a big challenge in congregations because it is a challenge in society as a whole. Seniors address depression in the face of diminished mobility and physical wellbeing. Teens and young adults experience the onset of schizophrenia and the effect of that disease on life goals. Family members struggle to know how to support loved ones who aren't open to support or diagnosis. Often privacy laws shut primary care givers out of receiving information that is vital to their loved one's health and their safety.
Sometimes the congregation as a whole must decide what compassion means when a member is in the throes of mental illness.We have a member whose bipolar illness has led to episodes of paranoia and delusions in the past. It's not hard to deal with the cheque on the offereing plate for a million dollars. But what about accusations against staff that are ungrounded and dangerous, or disruptions to worship? In this case we "stayed the course" with the person because we felt it was important to be compassionate in Christ's name. There has been a positive outcome because this individual accepted treatment.
What do you think about this all-party initiative? Have you dealt with mental illness in your sphere of family or friendships? Could we do more in the way of support groups ?(our pastoral care/parish nurse wants to start a group)
4 comments:
The biggest obstacle is often the ignorance of others. Public education would be a big start. For instance, a person suffering from anxiety who is prone to paranoia can sometimes appear hostile, as opposed to withdrawn. Another dilemma, especially for parents of teens, is the lack of knowledge about the link between cannabis use and schizophrenia. So much pain and suffering could be avoided if only people would understand that smoking a joint is not harmless. One joint, one misguided moment of vulnerability, can rob a young person of their mental health, for life. Yet, parents themselves are often ambivalent about the possibility of their teens experimenting with it. "Everyone tries it once<" seems to be the mantra. No one seems to understand that the cannabis of yeterday is nothing like what is produced today.This alone has caused me such grief. Yet, I have been ridiculed and hated for trying to convey this message. [David Suzuki has spoken out on this, so I didn't pull it out of thin air]
Pupil - thank you for the education around cannabis and schizophrenia - I did not know of the mental health link. I will share that information with siblings and young nieces. And no, not "everyone tries it once".
An interesting topic, as I head back to work tomorrow for two days of PD. The topic tomorrow is Mental Illness. Apparently school boards have been given information and a workshop to share with staff on the subject. Information I am sure we need to be better educators and to recognize behaviours in students. It will be an interesting day.
Thanks to all of you for responding.
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