Actions for understanding and alleviating mental illness in our communities

Mental illness is not something that affects only those in low income populations as people so often believe. It takes on many different forms, and can impact the life of anyone at anytime. The mentally ill rely heavily on society at large, as well as mental health specialists and caregivers, to create a place where they can function as well as possible as non-affected members of their communities. Many times communities do not understand; do not accept those with mental illnesses. As a result, many communities make little to no effort to integrate the mentally ill into society at large.



An Internationally recognized organization that provides support to those with incapacity's is Goodwill Industries International, Inc.. Goodwill Industries is the leading nonprofit provider of education, training and career service opportunities for people with disadvantages as well as those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities in North America.

Why Transitional Jobs are Important from Goodwill Industries Intl. on Vimeo.

Camphill Communities is another example of an organization that offers assistance and community integration to those with mental challenges.

“You can find Camphill communities all over the world. Their philosophy is simple - to create a community where mentally ill and non-affected people can live side by side. The mentally ill lead as normal a life as possible, taking part in daily activities depending on their skills and abilities. They are free to choose from different workshops, housekeeping activities or work on a farm which supplies the community with ecologically grown food. Mentally ill people, who are usually kept isolated in psychiatric hospitals, are able to enjoy an everyday routine.”1

Camphill PSA from Valley Creek Productions on Vimeo.

The Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health is a partnership between Dalhousie University, Sun Life Financial and the IWK Health Center. The Chair functions as a knowledge exchange center by collecting and sharing scientific information about mental health (with a heavier focus on affected youth, in order to make progress in the understanding of mental illness. They seek to improve the disability and share their research on both a national and international level by working with health care providers, policymakers, schools, businesses, non-profit organizations and the general public. The Sun Life Mental Health Chair offers these ten steps for creating a personally healthy mental health plan:

1. Build a healthy self-esteem
2. Receive as well as give
3. Create positive parenting and family relationships
4. Make friends who count
5. Figure out your priorities
6. Get involved with others in your community
7. Learn to manage stress effectively
8. Cope with changes that affect you
9. Deal with your emotions
10. Have a spirituality to call your own



When the general public has overall good mental health and maintains that status through each member’s personal responsibility, we are then able to better help others. It helps to remember the simple emergency instructions recited by flight attendants prior to an airplane flight—when the oxygen masks come down put your own on first, and then help your neighbor. If our own mental health is not stable we cannot make as effective a difference in the health of our communities. 2

Sources:
1 - http://www.radio.cz/en/section/panorama/fighting-to-keep-mentally-ill-in-the-community
2 - http://tig.phpwebhosting.com/guidetoaction/Mental_Health_Guide_to_Action.pdf

Author: Hillary King