Letter to the Editor
Brockville Recorder and Times
October 2, 2004
People with mental illness still face formidable barriers
The theme of this year's Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 4-10) campaign is "Face Mental Illness." One in five Canadians is likely to experience a diagnosable mental illness during their lifetime. The cost of mental illness to the individual, their families and communities is profound and mental disorders account for 50 per cent of the 10 leading causes of disability worldwide.
According to Health Canada, in 1998 mental health problems cost $14.4 billion. Most significant, however, is the individual human cost. While many will seek needed treatment, rehabilitation and support services, others will be deterred by fear of the consequences of disclosing their illness. Some will encounter significant gaps in services and supports. Both stigma and the lack of comprehensive resources present as formidable barriers to individuals getting the help they want and need.
The journey toward wellness and recovery is a very personal one and, for this reason, the mental health system must provide a more individualized and holistic approach to care. This will require the enhancement of community and hospital-based programming to address client-identified needs for treatment, support and rehabilitation. Individuals with mental illness must retain responsibility for their own wellness and recovery.
As individual citizens and as a community, we must also address the root causes of stigma. We must demystify mental illness through education and understanding and, in so doing, eradicate discrimination. By dismantling the barriers to inclusion and supporting the development of needed resources, we have the power to significantly improve the quality of life for people with mental illness.
During Mental Illness Awareness Week, let us begin to take responsibility for becoming a caring, accepting and inclusive community.
Lori-Ann Leggett
Patient Advocate
Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office
Cynthia Dillon
Rights Adviser
Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office
