Faces of Mental Health - The Importance of Community Awareness on Mental Health/Mental Illness by Anthony Gorman, Mental Health Outreach Worker & Trang Duong, Bachelor of Social Work Student, Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre
The term mental illness often conjures up images of the violent
psychopath in horror movies, or the unkempt weirdo on the street corner. For this reason and many others, it is vital
that we continue to dispel the myths of mental illness and to raise awareness.
Even though society has seen
significant progress in how we treat and interact with those living with mental
illness, it can be a confusing and shameful journey for individuals and
families of those diagnosed. Until we
create a social environment that is more accepting and understanding, it will
remain difficult for individuals to seek support and to disclose their
illnesses to those around them. Furthermore,
many of the resources available to those with mental health challenges have
substantial wait lists or strict criteria.
Community projects that raise mental health awareness can increase
social tolerance and can encourage those with mental health challenges to reach
out and demonstrate that mental illness impacts all of us. For example, an
upcoming a panel discussion on mental health was held at the
Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre on Wednesday, June 27th. This community event was organized by
Hopewell volunteer Trang Duong and included Hopewell Program Coordinator Karen
Donoghue as a panelist.
As important as it is to raise
social awareness, it is equally important to increase knowledge in order to
help individuals recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges
in themselves and others and to empower them to seek the proper supports. Supports
in the community can be informal or formal, and can include friends, family,
neighbours, teachers, professionals, peer support groups, and advocacy groups.
By creating a safe space where individuals feel comfortable with their own
mental wellness, they might use this knowledge and understanding to further
advocate for their needs and to educate the public.
In many ways, raising public
awareness can have substantial impacts on individual and societal scopes. If we can change the common stereotypes of
those will mental health challenges, we can help deconstruct the notion of “us
and them.” We are all the face of mental
health.
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