scrubbedexpat091

January 30 will see Bell's mental health day to combat stigma, which is still alive and well in society and while progress has been made, society has a long way to go.



This video is worth watching, its 20 minutes but its informative.


5 tips on how to support someone with mental health without making them feel worse.


https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/

Its a worthwhile campaign and hopefully as time goes on, the barriers and stigma will end.

caretaker

I assume Bell is going to donate for each tweet with the hashtag #BellLetsTalk, same as they do every year. It's nice to pull a few coins out of a fat corporation.

scrubbedexpat091

5 cents for each, this is what the website says.

For every text message sent by Bell Canada, Bell Aliant and Bell MTS customers, Bell will donate 5¢ towards mental health initiatives.

For every mobile and long distance call made by Bell Canada, Bell Aliant and Bell MTS customers, Bell will donate 5¢ to mental health initiatives.

Each time you watch our Bell Let’s Talk Day video or tweet using #BellLetsTalk, Bell will donate 5¢ towards mental health initiatives.

Instagram: Each time you watch our Bell Let’s Talk Day video, Bell will donate 5¢ towards mental health initiatives.

Each time you watch our Bell Let’s Talk Day video or use the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame, Bell will donate 5¢ towards mental health initiatives.

Snapchat: Each time you watch our Bell Let’s Talk Day video or send a snap using the Bell Let’s Talk filter, Bell will donate 5¢ towards mental health initiatives.

The website also has a way to look up where the funds go each year.

For BC for 2018 for example

https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/results-...olumbia/#funds

scrubbedexpat091

Myth #1: Mental illnesses aren’t real illnesses.

Fact: The words we use to describe mental illnesses have changed greatly over time. What hasn’t changed is the fact that mental illnesses are not the regular ups and downs of life. Mental illnesses create distress, don’t go away on their own, and are real health problems with effective treatments. When someone breaks their arm, we wouldn’t expect them to just “get over it.” Nor would we blame them if they needed a cast, sling, or other help in their daily life while they recovered.

Danny B

This Australian TV advert is one of the best I have seen on the subject. Lots of men don't like talking about this subject with their mates.

scrubbedexpat091

That is a good ad, gets the point across well. I often like that guy, most of the time, well minus the social gathering, but its a very accurate portrayal.

scrubbedexpat091

https://www.ctvnews.ca/w5/missed-dia...ents-1.2624591

This story ran on CTV a few years ago, teenagers and Borderline and lack of treatment, its worse for adults and over the years has seen little improvement, some have success getting provinces to pay for inpatient treatment in the US however, but its still extremely difficult to get care in Canada.

Vancouver has 2 really good private places that treat BPD though now, just got to get MSP to realize it needs to be a covered treatment as the cost is prohibitive to many people (myself included).

Hopefully things will change so the young people of Canada suffering from mental illness can get treatment early on and have a chance at a life, one wish I had, to have be able to get help when young and actually having a life.

scrubbedexpat091

scrubbedexpat091

Inquest going on in Ottawa, doesn't seem like its any better there. Maybe one day Canada will treat mental health equal with physical health. All the government websites tell people to reach out but when people do there is little help there.

"a third of people Simon’s age who commit suicide have borderline personality disorder, suicide prevention expert Dr. Paul Links told the inquest on Monday."

"The Ottawa Hospital had a DBT program until funding dried up, said Gillis. “We did everything in our power get investment in the program. We were unsuccessful,” she told the inquest."

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local...ecommendations

scrubbedexpat091

Funny how the government websites and pamphlets always say reach out for help but then when people try to get help the help isnt there.

scrubbedexpat091

One of the most difficult things for me, and one that triggers my symptoms and leads to bad things is boredom and being alone, and I spend M to F alone for almost 10 hours and become bored, in the last week my symptoms and self harm have flared up because of it.

Its too bad there isn't intensive outpatient programs here like other countries have, where you go for 4-7 hours a day for group and therapy that would solve 2 problems, one being bored at home, and 2 provide therapy/recovery needed to live life and enjoy life.


Interesting article from Australia.

“People who live with complex mental health conditions are at far greater risk of suicide,” Dr Blanchard said.

“For example, people with borderline personality disorder, which is arguably the most stigmatised mental illness, are 45 times more likely to take their own lives.”

To put that in perspective, Australians with the most severe cases of depression are 20 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population.

“On a personal level, stigma can result in people feeling quite lonely and isolated. "

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/he...7955280b3f442b

scrubbedexpat091

People with mental illness and addictions are more likely to die prematurely than the general population. Mental illness can cut 10 to 20 years from a person’s life expectancy.

disease burden of mental illness and addiction in Ontario is 1.5 times higher than all cancers put together and more than 7 times that of all infectious diseases. This includes years lived with less than full function and years lost to early death.

• 42% of Canadians were unsure whether they would socialize with a friend who has a mental illness.

55% of Canadians said they would be unlikely to enter a spousal relationship with someone who has a mental illness.

​46% of Canadians thought people use the term mental illness as an excuse for bad behaviour.

​While mental illness accounts for about 10% of the burden of disease in Ontario, it receives just 7% of health care dollars. Relative to this burden, mental health care in Ontario is underfunded by about $1.5 billion.

​​​​​​Unemployment rates are as high as 70% to 90% for people with the most severe mental illnesses.

https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-chang...lth-statistics

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Danny B

jsmith321, exercise is a fantastic cure for boredom. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you the proven positive effects that exercise has on mental health, but once you get into a regular habit of exercising, the brain feels fantastic.
If you have 10hrs of 'me time' free each day, you should make the most of it. Go for a nice long walk by yourself in the morning. Come back home, have some lunch, go for another walk with your dog in the afternoon.

scrubbedexpat091

I do quite a lot of walking in the day. East Vancouver is a bit boring place at least compared to say the west end and sea wall walk and such and just a nicer area.

I do go out a lot for walks though each day weather permitting.

Danny B

That's good to hear JS, taking part in a sport can also help with boredom and mental health. Doesn't have to be a team sport, can be something with just you and one other. I spend at least 2hrs a week playing snooker, zero physical exercise, but a 100% mental workout.