**Latest Published Open Mind Columns**
HOPE!
Hope is a four letter word that describes an ability to see growth, change and potential where others may not. How does one come by hope? Is it something that is taught? Is it something that is gained through accomplishment? Or is it possibly a state of mind that allows you to look beyond the here and now. For me, hope means to stretch your imagination to the point of having faith in a positive outcome, no matter what your circumstance.
Hope’s triumphs can been recognized throughout history, but many do not truly understand its strength and its purpose without first being in need of it. Having dealt with mental health issues my whole life I have seen the powerful force that hope can provide. It has allowed me to conquer stigma, homelessness, abuse, neglect and self oppression.
During my life I was prey to physical assault and bullying at school, put out on the street at 14 and was the victim of abuse into my young adult years. I was provided no hope from those that should have supported me. Keeping hope deep inside me, has given me the strength to overcome fear of change and fear of personal growth. It has permitted me the opportunity to speak out for transformation within the mental health system, and for the elimination of stigma and discrimination. It has afforded me the ability to stand up and announce my journey with pride and courage.
Hope is like a seed that can grow in the darkness and although frail, can finally reach the surface where the light of possibility and the rain of support can make it stronger. If we were to give a glimmer of hope to each individual we meet, whether through a smile, a touch, or a random act of kindness, then how much easier it would be for those who hold no hope to begin to see it as a possibility for themselves.
I was told once that I would be institutionalized for the rest of my life and there was no hope of recovery. They whispered in my ear that if I were to give in and realize that my life was now limited by my illness I would be better off. They offered complacency, not hope. It took all that I had to disagree. I would not and could not allow myself to accept that there were no other possibilities for my life than what they held out for me. It was a matter of survival. I would not let this issue beat me and make me its slave. There was more. It was just a matter of finding the right path. I finally met a therapist who reflected my values and encouraged that hope in me. He provided the tools I needed for my recovery journey. It was with inner strength I was able to move forward because of that light of hope.
We have a responsibility to ignite the flame of hope in all those we touch. This will afford them the opportunity to discover possibilities for themselves and move toward their recovery…and their dreams.
This article was written by Deborah Deforest, Self Help Alliance Team Leader; Peer Consultant and Advocate for the removal of stigma and discrimination in Mental Health.
The “Open Mind” column is sponsored by several organizations concerned with mental health issues in rural Wellington and Dufferin counties. Contact Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) at 519-766-4450 ext. 231 or parkinsons@cmhagrb.on.ca with comments or suggestions. Access online column at www.dc-wd.org/open_mind.htm and for local mental health resources link to www.communitylinks.ca
I Didn’t Think It Meant Me!
HA school had announced the cutoff date for ordering supplies. One month later, a teacher submitted a request for sports equipment. When reminded of the deadline, she replied, “Oh, I didn’t think it meant me!” We may laugh at this, but do we also sometimes think that the rules don’t apply to us?
We’ve all seen the message, “If you drink, don’t drive.” Have you ever thought,. “But it doesn’t mean me. It’s those repeat offenders.” Recent research shows “even if all alcohol-related fatal crashes involving repeat offenders were eliminated, at least 90% of impaired fatal crashes would still remain”.
We have lots of options to having a drink and then getting behind the wheel. No one said that you could never have a drink when you are out. An obvious one is to have a “designated driver”. When you go out as a couple, or with friends, one of you can choose not to have alcoholic beverages that night. Show some creativity and try some interesting non-alcoholic beverages. Next time out, it’s your turn to drink. If you find that despite your plan, you do drink, phone a friend or family member to come and get you. Their disturbed sleep will be nothing compared to their non-ending sleeplessness should you never come home. No one to call? Then phone a taxi…a modest expense now vs. future expenses when your liscence is suspended. If none of these can work, then stay overnight…if they are friends they will find some couch in a corner for you! And if you were the “designated driver”, have a drink when you get back to the comfort and safety of your own home. Having all these options available, are there still some thinking….”But it doesn’t mean me!”
If you remain unconvinced of the need to be sober when you get behind the wheel, here are some Canadian statistics from 2006 that show the size of this problem. Motor vehicle crashes across the country killed 3,122 people. Of these, 1,278 (41%) involved impaired drivers. In the same year, an estimated 75,374 were injured in impaired driving crashes. That’s 1,449 a week; 207 per day.
If you are wondering how this article fits in with “promoting mental health”, think about some signs of a mentally healthy person: making sound decisions based on facts; caring about the well being of others and how our actions affect them; being able to plan for the future beyond our current wishes…. Do these apply to you? What can we say abut the possibility of good mental health for those who lose a family member due to an impaired driver? Or the mental health of a victim who suffers serious injury and ongoing pain?
Please don’t be the one who is standing in a court room, charged in a fatal crash, thinking…”But I didn’t think it meant me!”
This article was written by Janet Fowler, a member of the Open Mind committee and a volunteer with MADD.
The “Open Mind” column is sponsored by several organizations concerned with mental health issues in rural Wellington and Dufferin counties. Contact Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) at 519-766-4450 ext. 231 or parkinsons@cmhagrb.on.ca with comments or suggestions. Access online column at www.dc-wd.org/open_mind.htm and for local mental health resources link to www.communitylinks.ca
I Didn’t Think It Meant Me!
An announcement was made early this spring, informing all teachers at a school that any budget requests for supplies needed to be in to the office by May 1st. In late May one of the likeable and laid back teachers on the staff walked into the office with a request for the purchase of outdoor equipment she needed in June. When asked, quite firmly…”Did you not read the announcement that all purchase requests must be in by May 1st, she replied, “Oh, I didn’t think it meant me!” Her fellow teachers are still kidding her about that one!
Even though it is easy to see the flaw in her thinking, have we sometimes been as unaware when we read about other issues which touch our lives? I am thinking now of the many messages seen on television and read in the paper and on posters: “If you drink, don’t drive.” Can there be some likeable, laid back person reading this article who has not seen such a statement? And if you have, do you think, “but they don’t mean me! After all, I like to have a drink, and what’s the harm in having a couple and then driving? It’s those repeat offenders that cause all the accidents”.
You may be surprised to know, as stated in a research paper (Solomon, 2001) that “even if all alcohol-related fatal crashes involving repeat offenders were eliminated, at least 90% of all impaired fatal crashes would still remain”. As a driver who chooses to drink, and then drive, you will be part of that 90% just waiting for your turn to cause a fatality, or to be a fatality.
It’s not as though the same media hasn’t given us lots of options to having a drink and then getting behind the wheel. No one said that you could never have a drink when you are out. An obvious one is, to have a “designated driver”. When you go out as a couple, or with friends, one of you can choose not to have alcoholic beverages that night. Show some creativity and try some interesting non-alcoholic beverages. Next time out, it’s your turn to drink. If you find that despite your plan, you do drink, phone a friend or family member to come and get you. Their disturbed sleep will be nothing compared to their non-ending sleeplessness should you never come home. No one to call? Then phone a taxi…a modest expense now vs. future expenses when your license is suspended. If none of these can work, then stay overnight…if they are friends they will find some couch in a corner for you! And if you were the “designated driver”, have a drink when you get back to the comfort and safety of your own home. Having all these options available, are there still some thinking….”But these don’t apply to me!”
If you remain unconvinced of the need to be sober when you get behind the wheel, here are some Canadian statistics from 2006 that show the size of this problem. Motor vehicle crashes across the country killed 3,122 people. Of these, 1,278 (41%) involved impaired drivers. In the same year, an estimated 75,374 were injured in impaired driving crashes. That’s 1,449 a week; 207 per day.
If you are wondering how this article fits in with “promoting mental health”, think about some signs of a mentally healthy person: being able to make sound decisions based on facts; caring about the well being of others and how our actions affect them; being creative in solving problems; being able to plan for the future beyond our current wishes…. Do these apply to you? What can we say abut the possibility of good mental health for those who lose a family member due to an impaired driver? What of the mental health of those who suffer from ongoing pain, inability to work and the limiting of social and sporting enjoyment that follows serious injury caused by an impaired driver?
Please don’t be the one who is standing in a court room, charged in a fatal crash, thinking…”But I didn’t think it meant me!”
This article was written by Janet Fowler, a member of the Open Mind committee and a volunteer with MADD.
The “Open Mind” column is sponsored by several organizations concerned with mental health issues in rural Wellington and Dufferin counties. Contact Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) at 519-766-4450 ext. 231 or parkinsons@cmhagrb.on.ca with comments or suggestions. Access online column at www.dc-wd.org/open_mind.htm and for local mental health resources link to www.communitylinks.ca
Learning to Laugh Again
I’m a recovering agoraphobic (which means a fear of being in public places) with social anxiety, severe depressive disorder, and as impossible as it may seem, I am also a standup comedian. I was looking for an activity to participate in as part of my own personal recovery goals, as well as my doctor’s suggestion of “exposure therapy”. I probably should have started with short trips to the grocery store or increasing amounts of mingling. Instead, I decided to join a local group of Guelph ‘Stand Up for Mental Health’ (STMH) comics led by founder, David Granirer and Judith Rosenberg, founder of Spark of Brilliance.
I needed something to get me back into a routine of socializing and even though it was downright terrifying at first, I figured it was a great opportunity with which to challenge myself. After all, as David says, “You have to be nuts to be a standup comedian” and I had all the qualifications. Our group, which consists of eight marvelously talented people with schizophrenia, bi-polar, and various mental health issues, has performed for full-capacity audiences at nine venues across Ontario since 2006. Our audiences have ranged from university students and the general public to those who work in the mental health industry. Each audience reacts differently to our humour. Most audience members cry tears of laughter as they listen to our difficult experiences with medication, visits to the psychiatric ward and the everyday challenges of living with mental illness, which we have overcome and turned into jokes. Some audience members find it truly difficult to laugh at such experiences and find themselves shifting uncomfortably in their seats, but these are the people we feel we need to reach the most. Our STMH group isn’t just about making people laugh, we’re about reaching out to the community and making people aware that even though we are living with mental health issues we aren’t victims – we’re courageous, we’re intelligent, and we’re pretty darn funny.
Laughter truly is the best medicine, and during my three years with the group so far, there have been times when we were likely a little “over medicated”. We’ve cried together as we’ve recalled some of the hardest moments in our lives and then laughed together when we finally found some closure with a perfect punch line. We’ve found strength in ourselves by supporting each other, taking on challenges most “sane” people wouldn’t even dare, and instead of letting people tell us what we can’t do, we’re proving what we can do – one laugh at a time.
For more information about Stand Up for Mental Health and how you can hire our Guelph group, please visit www.standupformentalhealth.com. Please also be sure to check out Spark of Brilliance, without which STMH Guelph would not have been possible. – www.sparkofbrilliance.org.
This article was written by Marcey Gray, who has lived with mental health issues for 19 years and is dedicated to sharing her experiences through public awareness and helping others with mental health issues rediscover their creative abilities. Please feel free to contact Marcey at mar.c@rogers.com
The “Open Mind” column is sponsored by several organizations concerned with mental health issues in rural Wellington and Dufferin counties. Contact Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) at 519-766-4450 ext. 231 or parkinsons@cmhagrb.on.ca with comments or suggestions. Access online column at www.dc-wd.org/open_mind.htm and for local mental health resources link to www.communitylinks.ca.
Puppy LoveMy children really wanted a dog. You know, something to love and care for; a new plaything that moves and loves you back. I reluctantly agreed. I did research on getting just the right fit for our home and schedule. Then I fell in love. I had no idea how completely enriching owning a pet could be. I have spent quite a few years being “pet free”, working and having children. I didn’t think I would have time for a dog, and I didn’t want the mess. Now I can’t imagine being without her. Our beautiful little Shih Tzu.
Although everyone must be careful and responsible when owning a pet, and meeting its’ needs, it is amazing how they indeed meet yours. Since our girl came into our lives I have had a feeling of balance, joy and calm…a great improvement to my mental health. I guess others who own pets feel the same way. Maybe it is the unconditional, positive regard they provide. You can mess things up, not meet deadlines, or forget to call someone, and the puppy still loves you.
Maybe it is the additional exposure to fresh air. I have never gone on so many walks and, trust me, I was never outside quite as early in the morning, taking my darling out to pee. There is something about being out on a, crisp morning, breathing in the fresh air and feeling connected to animal and nature. Not to be too mushy, because, I also know that some mornings, particularly the first days of having a new puppy, or in the middle of a big snow storm, my warm bed made me feel much better than getting up. But, seeing how excited she is to see me in the morning and those loving little licks and tail wags still make me smile, no matter what the weather.
Animals are such a positive tie with nature and give such energy; it is no wonder that since the beginning of time there has been a connection between people and animals. Great World leaders, actors, and people in high power jobs often retreat to their pets at the end of day for comfort and an escape from the day’s activities. This also works for people not in high power, flashy jobs, like children, seniors, yes, anyone. A pet can help to make you feel comforted, needed and loved.
Animals remind us that we have a place and are appreciated. We know people with pets live longer and also that many people with thoughts of suicide have chosen life because they own a pet and feel a sense of obligation to them. It is also believed by many that stroking and holding furry pets decreases feelings of anxiety and reduces blood pressure. Some animals are used as therapy in many hospitals and seniors residences to bring about reminiscence and happy feelings.
Mental health is more than the absence of a diagnosis. It is an overall sense of wellbeing and contentment. Owning a pet really contributes to this. From my experience owning a pet has provided an opportunity for an additional sense of purpose and pride, many really funny moments and of course, puppy love. I have also met some really great people through my dog: neighbours who like to pet her, people who like to talk about dogs, children who can’t resist a dog, trainers, groomers and others.
I know pet ownership is not for everyone, but if you want to have some of the benefits without all of the responsibility you could offer to walk the dog of a friend or neighbour or volunteer at the humane society or animal shelter. They always need people and I think, people always need pets.
This article was written by Paula Frappier, a wife, mother and friend. She is the Community Education Coordinator for the Geropsychiatry Service of the Homewood Health Centre and Trellis Mental Health and Developmental Services. The “Open Mind” column is sponsored by several organizations concerned with mental health issues in rural Wellington and Dufferin counties. Contact Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) at 519-766-4450 ext. 231 or parkinsons@cmhagrb.on.ca with comments or suggestions. Access online column at www.dc-wd.org/open_mind.htm and for local mental health resources link to www.communitylinks.ca
To Call or Not to Call?
When my daughter was little I was faced, a number of times , wondering whether I should all the doctor of not. Were her symptoms serious? Would I just be wasting the doctor’s time? How did I know if it was important or not?!?
In my work with the Alzheimers Society, I now spend time talking to people who post the very same questions. Should I be in touch with the doctor or not? The symptoms may by subtle. Families think that something isn’t quite right and consider the question: to call or not to call?
Who hasn’t forgotten a name when you need to introduce someone, on an address, of what you went into a room for? Admit it – you feel a twinge of concern when it happens. The thought “Could this be the start of Alzheimer’s disease?” pops into your mind and you can feel the worry niggling away in the pit of your stomach. These feelings may be even more intense if you are seeing these issues in your parents, partner or others.
We can’t avoid the headlines, news stories or magazine articles informing us that we are on the verge of an epidemic of dementia. In Canada, at age 65, one in 13 people have Alzheimer’s Disease or a related dementia, and the numbers rise to one in three by age 85. World wide, another case of dementia is diagnosed every seven seconds. We worry that our memory lapses, or what we see in others may be the first sign that we are about to become one of these statistics.
Take a deep breath. Some slowing of our cognitive abilities and some forgetfulness in normal as we age. What we need to do is look at the degree to which we are having problems.
There are numerous check lists available to review when you are looking at changes in someone and thinking “should I call the doctor or not?”. I can give you a brief idea of some of the red flags: Are there problems learning and remembering new information? Is it a challenge to handle complex tasks like cooking or financial chores? Is it difficult finding your way around familiar places? Are there problems finding words and expressing what you want to say? Are everyday decisions overwhelming? Do others say you repeat or forget often?
For information, please don’t hesitate to contact the Alzheimer’s Society for further details, support or discussion of your situation. We would be happy to mail you our free 10 warning signs brochure. Also, we have a book you can borrow entitled “Where did I leave my glasses’ by Martha Weinman Lear, which considers the what, when and why or normal memory loss.
If you want good online resources that give you very clear indicators of changes that would be of concern, please check the two links listed below from Alzheimer Canada and the Mayo Clinic.
http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/disease/warningsigns.htm http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/memory-loss/HQ00094#
Yes, call the doctor if you have concerns, or call the Alzheimer Society at 519-836-7672 or in Dufferin at 519-941-1221.
This article was written by Robin Smart, Public Education Coordinator for the Alzheimer Society of Guelph-Wellington. The “Open Mind” column is sponsored by several organizations concerned with mental health issues in rural Wellington and Dufferin counties. Contact Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) at 519-766-4450 ext. 231 or parkinsons@cmhagrb.on.ca with comments or suggestions. Access online column at www.dc-wd.org/open_mind.htm and for local mental health resources link to www.communitylinks.ca
|
.jpg)