Letter to the Editor
Orillia Packet and Times
September 29, 2007
Mental illness focus of week
Mental illness Awareness Week will be celebrated this year from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6, with the theme “Face It: Mental Illness Concerns Us All.” This theme is sure to resonate with most Ontarians because mental illness has the potential to touch each and every one of us.
We need to examine how we treat some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, those with mental illness, and ask ourselves if we genuinely support our friends, family members, colleagues and neighbours in their quest for wellness and recovery. Do they have equitable access to quality mental health care and treatment, and the community supports and services necessary to facilitate their well-being? Have we addressed the full gamut of social determinants of health including: timely access to the mental health system; access to safe, decent and affordable housing; adequate income; opportunities for social inclusion; employment; and education? And finally, have we strived to reduce and eliminate the stigma and discrimination that so many with mental illness experience in their day to day lives?
Let’s face it, people can and do recover from mental illness if provided with the supports and services necessary to facilitate and nurture a sense of hope, wellness and a belief that tomorrow will be better than today. This year let’s challenge ourselves to reach out to those who may have lost hope, to carry the beacon of hope on their behalf until they can take it back and continue on their journey. Some day it may be us who needs the helping hand, the caring spirit and compassionate strength of those who have been there and have grown stronger because of their personal journey.
Cathy DiFonte
Patient Advocate
Julian Kusek
Patient Advocate
Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office
Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene
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