A community solution?...

This article talks about a community in Canada.  http://bit.ly/YFh6Dm I think that it makes an important point. Effective treatment for the mentally ill comes out of the community. And the people in positions of power have to be educated in order to allow the services to function in an optimum way. The Mayor of North Bay (Al McDonald) was invited to a forum discussing how to create healthy and inclusive communities.  He expressed discomfort with the fact that this forum was about mental illness and substance abuse.   He said it struck him as something that is outside of his “comfort zone”.  Then he found himself learning about a program that functions in his community. ACT is a program, somewhat like the agency that I used to work for, which seeks to treat those struggling with “severe and persistent” mental illness where they live. Mayor McDonald expressed the thought that if he doesn’t know about mental illness and available treatment, he is fairly certain that many other people don’t know about it. I think he is absolutely right. People simply don’t know.The fact that we ‘don’t know’ means that we are destined to use our prejudices when we are faced with the reality of mental illness. Everybody has an opinion. Some are informed. Some are not. Since many of us are likely to have to deal with mental illness personally or in a family member (or friend/acquaintance), our ignorance is not helpful.  As a society, we have little knowledge about mental illness.  So, when something occurs that is connected to a mentally ill person, like a shooting, we rely on opinions that are created in prejudice. I really like that the forum was about creating “inclusive” communities.  People come from a variety of backgrounds.  There are people that come from different cultures and races.  They have different levels of education. They come with differing economic situations.  Many have physical/mental health problems.  Most of our current political struggles are related to the ‘differences’ that we have.  But we are all members of the community.  Even when we don’t act like we know that.

If you look at the current discussion about mental illness and violence, there are many discussions that are going on that don’t necessarily create a community solution.  They simply rely on prejudices and scapegoat the mentally ill.  Thus, we continue to live through our prejudices and in the stigma.  I may be preaching to the choir here.  If you are reading my blog, you are probably more open to the idea of mental illness.  And you are likely to be open to viewing things in a new way.  But that isn’t necessarily true of most people. So, the question becomes…how can we change this?  What can we do to educate people?  I know what I have chosen.  I am out here talking about my situation and my problems.  I am here for a specific goal.  I want you to read my blog and learn about what it means to have a mental illness.  At least from my experience and perspective.  So, as I have said many times before,  I think the solution is in talking.  And in being willing to listen.  In educating ourselves. Then maybe we can actually create a community solution that works.  What do you think?  Write me a note!  Give me a call!  I look forward to hearing from you.