**Latest Published Open Mind Columns**

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.

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Puppy Love

My 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

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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

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