Stigma of mental illness takes toll
By CHRISTINA SPENCER
MONTREAL — Austin Mardon says when people learn he is schizophrenic, they sometimes fear him, act disgusted or seem embarrassed. So great is the stigma associated with mental illness, that when he introduces his wife, people assume she is also schizophrenic.
The Edmonton resident told his story to hundreds of doctors at the Canadian Medical Association’s annual meeting yesterday.
It was a human glimpse at a problem the physicians have put atop their agenda this year: Fighting the discrimination mental health patients endure.
But that help must start at home, according to former senator Michael Kirby, the head of the new Canadian Mental Health Commission, who said doctors are part of the problem.
LESS OPTIMISTIC
Of the 10 leading causes of disability worldwide, five are linked in some way to mental illness, he said. And although Canada has produced hundreds of reports on acute care, there has been only one national report on mental health — done by the Senate committee Kirby chaired for 10 years.
In one study, he said, 44% of people with mental illness said they experienced discrimination from their doctors. Other studies have shown mental health workers are three times more likely than the general population to favour restrictions on mentally ill people, and are less optimistic about their long-term prospects. Psychiatrists were the most pessimistic.
“If your doctor has no hope for recovery, where does that leave you?” he asked.
Kirby’s commission got good news from the federal government yesterday. Health Minister Tony Clement used the meeting to announce $75 million in new funding for the body, giving it $130 million for the next decade.
Related posts:
- A Canadian Article
- Another Canadian Article For Thursday
- A Typical Canadian Health Response
- Welcome To Canadian Health Care – A Rant
- Article – Magnet device aims to treat depression patients
- Less sun more depression for people with SAD – ARTICLE
- New dads can get postpartum depression, too – CNN Article
- More people calling suicide prevention hot line – Article
- Why Do the Mentally Ill Die Younger? – Article
- Study: Doctors Don’t Always Spot Depression – Article
When I attempted to explain and open up and tell a few people I was a Schizoid, a week later the same person called me schizophrenic. Its as though people have one definition for what a mental illness is.
The more I find my self instrospective and in a position to fight my own issues I see little offers around for support, hope, or what to do and how to go about it… other than it can’t be done.
I hope more money gets spent on education and reseaarch and other helpful things.
In 2005, the World Health Organization wrote a health treaty for those suffering from mental illness. It stated in part:
The explicit inclusion of the promotion of mental, as well as physical, health is a timely reminder of the importance of looking at health holistically. Poor mental health affects more than 130 million Europeans at a cost to every European household of more than €2,000 per annum. Despite the high personal, social and economic costs too often mental health has been marginalised within public health policy.
I guess there may be some crazy (yup)! reason why they stopped at Europe…..
oh, i’m glad someone posted about this. i was going to but i DO need to put in a blogging holiday, precisely for my mental health.