I was honored to speak at a mental health and addictions conference recently. This topic is a relevant one for our community as we often struggle in silence, but struggle, nonetheless.
The stigma regarding mental health is prevalent. We have no issues going to the doctor if we have a cold or the mechanic is something is wrong with the car. Mental health appears to imply that we are not good enough to manage our life instead of the simple realization that we may benefit from a professional, like a doctor or a mechanic, helping us to shorten hardship and make life more enjoyable. Yet, many people are afraid to admit that there is something going on with them that creates issues in their life. Furthermore, there is the stigma of “other people finding out”. You would be surprised to hear how many people are going through or have gone through what you are experiencing. The myth is that we are the only ones and the truth is that we are one of many. Silence only encourages more silence, shame, embarrassment, guilt and perpetuation of even more health issues – physical and psychological.
There is also a double standard of perception regarding mental health and addictions. What clients look like has made a difference to the time they get to spend with health care professionals. Sadly, experiences show that biases toward people impacts our behavior toward them. That is not different in health care.
Often, with addictions, it comes down to first contact. For some people who struggle with addiction, their first or prevalent contact with a professional is the police instead of a mental health professionals. That, in itself, has far-reaching consequences to the individual, that person’s family, potentially their career and even their livelihood. This is further impacted by the bias of some professionals who believe that certain cultural groups have less capacity to thrive than others. It is also no secret that privilege determines access to resources.
So why is that? This is thus far a bleak picture, but there is a reason for all of this.
Sadly, people of color remain grossly under-represented in mental health care. Having sat on the governing board of an association that oversees all of the clinical counselors in our province, I recall looking around the large room and only seeing a few faces of color amid about 60 senior clinicians. Under-representation makes advocacy for people of color very challenging if not impossible. Over-representation of privileged populations creates a challenge to quality of service to a diverse population.
The bigger picture is that marginalization is woven into the fiber of our society. This new “nation” was founded on many injustices that still play a prominent role in our lives today. Multiculturalism requires multicultural approaches, but too many health care systems still insist on a “one-fits-all” model that prompts, despite intention, an attitude of assimilation.
This means that the reluctance to seek help has merit. I ask you, however: WHO PAYS THE PRICE FOR NOT GETTING HELP?
Having seen so many people who have struggled in silence for many years, sometimes even generations, I know that effective support is out there. The pain, agony and hardship of facing the same struggles only creates fatigue and continues a cycle of suffering. It is time to give yourself a chance at a better life, even if you do not know if or how that might be possible. If you have an infection, you may not know if or how it might be cured, but that does not typically stop us from going to the doctor. Mental health is not different. Reach out. Speak out. Speak up. Despite the aforementioned hurdles and roadblocks, there is effective and professional support out there. Know that one can recover from unpleasant experiences so that we do not find ourselves saying that we should have never tried if we come across someone who did not fit. You are seeking help for yourself, not to satisfy any professional. This is your life and you can have a positive impact.
Be brave. Be open. Be honest. Let’s start an honest and open conversation with each other to ensure that we all know that none of us are alone in our struggles. Let’s grow together.
As always, be kind to yourself and others. If you have any questions or comments, you are always welcome to send them to info@newhistory.ca.
Until next time,
Geoff Ayi-Bonte MA RCC
Registered Clinical Counsellor
www.newhistory.ca
