http://dialoguementalhealth.wordpress.com Just another WordPress.com weblog Thu, 27 Nov 2008 04:22:55 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.png http://dialoguementalhealth.wordpress.com http://dialoguementalhealth.wordpress.com/2008/11/27/dialogue-for-mental-health/ http://dialoguementalhealth.wordpress.com/2008/11/27/dialogue-for-mental-health/#comments Thu, 27 Nov 2008 04:16:21 +0000 dialoguementalhealth http://dialoguementalhealth.wordpress.com/?p=7 ]]> Growing up in a West Indian family, there were never any discussions about depression. If you were sad you were either told to buck up or you were simply ignored. Throughout my personal experiences and close relationships within African Canadian and Caribbean families, many family members who suffer from any form of mental illness are predominately left to accept silence and hide their Mental Health illness (including depression) as if they or their Mental Health is insignificant.

 

Ms. Brown a twenty-six year old from Toronto , first generation African Canadian with parents of Jamaican decent was diagnosed with clinical depression and shares similar feelings regarding the stigma surrounding Mental Health Illnesses. “ My mom and my family do not believe in Mental Health Illnesses like depression. My mom will sometimes say things like ‘I live with lunatics’ and it hurts however, talking about it makes me feel much better than covering it up with jokes.”

 

Currently in Canada, there are no solid documented statistics reflecting the ongoing stigma surrounding Mental Health within African Canadian and Caribbean communities across the country. On November 10^th 2008 a group of International experts gathered in Toronto to discuss an examination of the causes of mental illness within the African Canadian and Caribbean communities in Canada . Such an examination is of great need for African Canadians and black communities as a whole.

 

Dr. Charmaine Williams, Professor of Faculty at The University of Toronto and guest speaker at the November 10^th 2008 conference confirms trust is a key component to identifying mental health concerns and issues within the African Canadian and Caribbean communities. “Trust is a major issue when it comes to examining Mental Health issues amongst African Canadian and Caribbean people and their families. A negative experience with the health care system is why so many members mistrust Mental Health Care professionals.”

 

Speaking out about mental illnesses is a healthy way to help ourselves, our families and our communities. Educating ourselves through dialogue within our perspective family unit is apart of the prognosis for Mental Health issues within the African Canadian and Caribbean communities across the country. We must remember, ‘no man is an island.’ (Non profit agencies across the country such as the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) exists to assist individuals and their families suffering from mental health disorders and illnesses)

 

 

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