Summary of my Learning

Throughout this course I have been able to build a knowledge base not only on social welfare but as well as different marginalized groups specifically people living with a mental illness. Before entering this course I had a basic understanding of what social welfare is but I now have gained knowledge that I will take with me in the future. By learning about Canada's history of their welfare state as well as different political ideologies I am now able to apply theses topic areas in the other courses I am taking. Throughout the semester and the blog posts I have been able to expand my Knowledge vastly on the area of mental illness and the social and political issues that face people who live with a mental illness. Some of the areas I have focused my blogs on are, employment, health care, poverty and housing. These are only just a few of the many issues that face those living or experiencing a mental illness but these topic areas have opened up my view on social policies in Canada and how many people are greatly neglected. Through my placement with the Child and Youth Worker program I was able to work within the Royal Ottawa Mental Heath Care Group and during that time I was able to experience inpatient issues that face youth living with a mental illness. But now with the information I have gained from this course and specifically the blog posts i know there are many other issues that face this population far beyond managing their illness. One major things I have learnt from doing research and finding topic areas is that the severe disadvantage we have here living in the north when it comes to access of care and treatment compared to other urban centers such as Ottawa and Toronto. As a future social worker I hope to work in this area and I'm very intrigued on finding out more information about what can be done in our area to improve support and services. As well from reading the blog posts not only of my other group members but the other groups as well not only I have I gained knowledge on other maraganlized groups but I was able to recognize all the work that we as future social workers will be faced with. These blog posts I believe are important because I now have a background knowledge in all these topic areas that I did not have before and I will be able to carry this information with me in the future.

- Amanda

Health Care in Canada, for those living with or experiencing a mental illness

For this blog I decided to research the topic of health care concerns for those who experience or live with a mental illness. I was able to find an article on Maclean’s magazine website concerning this issue. As we all have learnt in class and through some of the blog posts this semester that mental illness can be called the invisible disease. But as stated in this article this is not the fact at all it is seen in schools, homes, hospitals etc. (Belluz & Macqueen, 2011). Canadian Mental Health Association has stated that mental illness has or will affect all Canadians at some point i.e. through family members, friends, or coworkers (Canadian Mental Health Association , 2012). Also that 20% of Canadians will have a personal experiences at some point and it has no bias’s i.e. does not matter what ages you are, education or skills, income or culture (Canadian Mental Health Association , 2012) As well suicide in Canada is one of the most leading causes of death among men and women (Canadian Mental Health Association , 2012)When we look at these statistics and then again think about the phrase invisible disease it is hard to really compare the two.

            Canada is the only G7 country without a national mental health strategy, and discussed in the mclanes article is that they believe this is due because of lesser priority and lower funding when it comes to the proper treatment of psychiatric disorders (Belluz & Macqueen, 2011). The cost to the economy in 1998 was about $7.9 billion as well and added 6.3 billion was spent on uninsured mental health services or time taken off work because of a mental illness (Canadian Mental Health Association , 2012). This is a clear sign that this is an area that needs to be addressed. When we look at the stats again and compare it to the stats of who actually receives the proper treatment and health care it is astounding. Because of this many people who undiagnosed, suffer silently, turn to substance abuse. And when they do try to seek professional help they are likely to receive improper care and long wait times to find care (Belluz & Macqueen, 2011).

            As well in the article they quote the executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association saying that only one in three adults get access to proper mental health care, and if you’re a child it’s about one in six (Belluz & Macqueen, 2011). As well as that higher your income the higher your chances are to receive care because of the privatization of most services and the cost (Belluz & Macqueen, 2011). I believe it’s important when discussing health care for those with mental illness to address the issues that concern children and youth because often for severe mental illnesses they develop around this age. It is estimated that 10-20% of Canadian youth suffer from a mental illness or disorder, as well as Canada’s youth suicide rate is the third highest in the industrialized world. It is the second leading cause of death for youth, and the second highest hospital care expenditure in Canada. But with this being said only one out of five children who need mental health services receives them (Canadian Mental Health Association , 2012). Only about 7% of governments health expenditures go to mental health and shockingly this is well under most developed countries (Canadian Mental Health Association , 2012).

            As of now the family physician plays the key role in mental health care for most Canadian, but they cannot meet the full needs of every patient living with or experiencing a mental illness (Canadian Psychiatric Association, 1996). Some of the issues that need to be addressed by the government is prevalence of mental illness by age, sex and other variables, risk and protective factors, impact of mental illness on quality of life, access to primary and specialist health care, impact of mental illness on economy and the workforce, as well as a number of other issues that face people living with mental illness (Health Canada, 2002).  

            The social democratic lens believe that for people to reach their full potential the environment needs to be created (Mallaly, 2007). It is obvious that this is not the way the Canadian government is addressing the policy issues that face those who live with or experience a mental illness. As well for the social democratic political ideology believe that government intervention is key therefore they would believe that the goal the government should have is to fix these issues in the public sector not the private (Mullaly, 2007).  

-Amanda

References

Belluz, J. & Macqueen, K. (2011, March, 22). Mental Health Care for a Few. Macleans. Retrieved from http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/03/22/mental-health-care-for-the-few/

Canadian Mental Health Association . (2012). Fast Facts . Retrieved November 15, 2012, from Canadian Mental Health Association : http://www.cmha.ca/

Canadian Psychiatric Association. (October, 4, 1996). Shared Mental Health Care in Canada/Position Paper. Retrieved from http://www.cfpc.ca/uploadedFiles/Directories/_PDFs/Shared%20Mental%20Health%20C     are%20in%20Canada.pdf 

Health Canada. (2002). A Report on Mental Illness in Canada. Ottawa: Health Canada Editorial   Board Mental Illnesses in Canada.

Mullaly, R. (2007). The New Structural Social Work. Canada: Oxford University Press.

 

Children Suffering From Mental Illness

Raising a child without a Mental Illness is a very time consuming job and it takes a lot of care and patience, but for parents raising a child who is suffering from a Mental Illness there is definitely more challenges when it comes to raising their child. Dr Manion says "In Canada's health system mental health is an orphan, but children's mental health is an orphans orphan"("Manion & Michael, 2008). This basically means that not only is mental health pushed aside by the Canadian government but that Children's mental health is almost non existent. This is a disturbing thought especially because I plan on working with children who are mentally ill, but how are we supposed to help children who suffer from a mental illness if the resources are non existent. Mental health affects 13- 22 percent of Canadian children and is most often ignored due to denial.("Manion & Michael, 2008)

Across Canada 800.000 families struggle on a daily basis with the stress and complication due to raising a child with a mental illness.(Anderson & Andre, 2008) It is saddening that there are so many families out their fighting for answers, and all they can do is wait. But the longer they wait to find out the answers the longer their children are isolated from society. Ms Bishop and Mr Quins knew that their daughter needed help but that it was easier said than done.(Anderson & Andre, 2008). Why is this, why is it so hard to try and find answers? Until answers are found for children with mental illness they are more often than not seen as a spoiled child who is kicking and screaming because they didn't get what they want. Ms bishop said she wanted to scream out "she isn't spoiled she is sick" in regards to her daughter who was having a severe breakdown in the middle of the grocery store.(Anderson & Andre, 2008) I can't imagine what it would be like for these parents feeling humiliated because they don't know whats wrong with their child. Mental Illness doesn't just affect the child it also affects the parent(s). The more stressed and overwhelmed parents get the more likely they will have anxiety and breakdown.

Now to bring this into a Neoconservative lens, where they believe that individuals who suffer from mental illness deserve it and that it is not a disability. The definition of disability is " a physical or mental condition that limits a persons movement, senses or activities". This is often the case when individuals are diagnosed with a mental illness. The signs and symptoms can often include not being able to live they way they used too, not knowing from right or wrong and losing control of their body and mind. So by not seeing mental illness as a disability they are affecting they way children who suffer from a mental illness grow up. If the government doesn't see it as a disability then the funds or necessary programs will not be put into place or are taken away. Mental illness is more common than people think and as a society we need to do our part in advocating for those who cannot.

Karlie

References

Anderssen, E., & Picard, A. (2008, November 22). Raising a child with a mental illness. Retrieved December 12, 2012, from Globe and Mail: http://v1.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081122.wbreakdown2211/BNStory/mentalhealth/

Manion, I., & Michael, C. (2008, November 25). Mental health professionals on children and mental illness. Retrieved December 11, 2012, from Globe and Mail: http://v1.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081122.wmhchildrendocsdiscussion1122/BNStory/mentalhealth/

Last Blog of the Semester

 

 

Throughout the semester and our blogging assignments I have gained more knowledge on the topic of mental illness in Canada. In my previous college program I took an introduction to mental health course, and it was one of my favorite course in my three-year program. I viewed working with the mental health group as way to gain more knowledge on a topic that I had been extremely interested in since my first year of college. I have learned much more than I had ever anticipated throughout the blogging assignments and group work.

            My first topic was on suicide, which I had never though would be a part of our group’s blogging because I hadn’t viewed it as a mental health disorder. However since researching the topic I learned that although it is not a mental health disorder, several of those who suffer from a mental health illness struggle with suicide at some point. I also learned about the changes that have been made in terms of the way society views suicide, and how it can be stigmatized. Further into my research I learned about the stereotypes that can be put on those who struggle with suicide and how it affects their mental well being.  I furthered my studies on mental health and suicide into my second blog. Also in my second blog I began to learn about the interference of colonial projects interfering with indigenous communities, and the effects it caused, suicide being one of those effects. Learning about these effects was a completely new experience for me as it was an issue I had never heard of before, this was my favorite topic to research and post on. For my third blog I had the opportunity to learn more about an issue that I have felt strongly about for sometime. Housing for those with mental health illnesses is an important one, and one I felt was often over looked. It was a great opportunity to learn more in depth on a topic I thought I already knew so well. My final blog was an eye-opener for me. I wrote it on the stigmatization, and stereotypes surrounding those who have a mental health illness being violent. I had never viewed this population as violent so it came as a shock to me when hearing some of the stereotypes, or beliefs some held about this population.

            From my group I have learned so much, and had a great experience reading their posts, interacting with each of them, and presenting our combined learning together. From my group I learned about the mental health populations and their struggles with employment, restructuring of the welfare state, inadequate income support programs, etc. I have learned so much from each new post, and I hope I was able to share my learning with them. I was uneasy about the assignment first, but at the end of the semester am glad I could be a part of such a different experience.

 

Erica

Violence and Mental Health Disorders

Violence and Mental Health Disorders



 

 

 

 

Since beginning to do research on the topic of violence involved with persons who have a form of mental health disorder, research has shown that the claimed violence from persons with a disorder is in fact a majority of the time a stigmatization. In fact it has been said several times throughout research that this population is generally more vulnerable than violent. The media however does an incredible job of stigmatizing the population by using 1 or 2 stories that involve a person who has a form of mental health disorder and blowing it up into headline stories. Of course there are some cases where those with mental health disorders are violent, however one must look at why they were violent, what contributed to the violence, and how the situation came about before putting a label on a whole population.

            Those who suffer from mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, major depression, bi-polar, etc. at times can show higher levels of violence than people normally would. However this can be caused by the violent individual suffering from symptoms of the disorder itself. Symptoms can include feeling as though they are being threatened, or manipulated by outside forces which can cause them to “lash out”. However as long as proper treatment is sought out and received, and an individual who is suffering takes their prescribed medication regularly, the use of violent behavior is reduced and is rare. Several Studies have shown that mental illness alone does not incline a person to violence, but instead it is the influence of “co-variants” (Canadian Mental Health Association). Two examples of a co-variant would be the persons environment whether it be throughout childhood, adolescents, school, as an adult it can have an effect on the persons disorders, and in turn behavior. A second example of a co-variant would be a person who has a mental health disorder, but also has a form of substance abuse issue. Finally for those who do exhibit violence that results in legal action being taken, this can cause further violence. Further violence can be cause due to the fact that most criminal justice agencies are poorly equipped to address the psychological needs of victims (Parsons & Bergin 2010).

            As a group, people with mental health issues are not more violent than any other group in our society. The majority of crimes are not committed by people with psychiatric illness, and multiple studies have proven that there is very little relationship between most of these diseases and violence (Canadian Mental Health Association). The media however does an excellent job at making it appear that a majority of criminals must have a mental health disorder. The media takes the small amount of violence that is committed by those who suffer from a mental health disorder and “blow it up”. As soon as crime is committed anywhere it is immediately on the new or in newspapers. However since being in this blogging group I have noticed that when a mental health disorder is also involved it is suddenly everywhere. Now the story is not only on the new or in the newspaper, it is in famous magazines, talked about across the internet, special crime shows are put on to discuss it. However what most people do not realize is that by doing these things we are actually in turn being violent towards that individual, and the mental health population emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. Most are quick to forget that violence doesn’t end at the word physical. Suddenly a whole population is stereotyped as violent or dangerous because of the act of a few people who in the end most likely did not receive the help they needed in time.

 

Erica



Referances:

Picture: http://www-faculty.edfac.usyd.edu.au/projects/towards_better_practice/uploads/images/hands%20reaching.jpg

http://www.cmha.ca/mental_health/violence-and-mental-illness/

Parson,J. Bergin,T. (2010). The Impact of Criminal Justice Involvement on Victim's Mental Health. Vera Institute of Justice, New York. Vol.23.2.182-188

Davis,K. Fallon,J. Vogel,S. Teachout,A. (2008) Integrating into the Mental Health System from the Criminal Justice System. The Hawthorne Press. 217-231

Impriosment of Individuals with a Mental Illness a Neo-conservative View

     By looking through a neo-conservative lens it could be said that people who have a mental illness are a threat to neighbourhood safety.  It has been a view of the neoconservatives that criminals opt to prey upon others for the sake of their own gratification (Lafond & Durham, 1992).  The views of neoconservatives are very black and white when it comes to punishment and justice.  "Neoconservatives argue that the law could not and should not take into account the various social environments from which offenders came and the incentives for crime those environments created" (Lafond & Durham, 1992).  In my opinon neoconservatives believe whether an individual has a mental illness or not it is their view that punishment is essential to prevent and restrain those who commit crimes.   An issue that comes to rise under this lens is the fact that many people facing mental illness are being placed into the prison systems.  The Globe and Mail produced an article that states that Canada’s prisons are becoming warehouses for the mentally ill (Mackrel, 2009).  The main ideas produced by this article are: the closing of many psychiatric institutions has resulted in an increase in mentally ill individuals being incarcerated.  More than one in ten men, and one in three women held in federal prisons have mental health problems.  The prisons are not equipped with the proper resources to help the individuals suffering from mental illness.  The Conservatives idea to solve this problem is to expand prison space and staff to accommodate such growth.  In my opinion the conservative governments’ solution to this problem does absolutely nothing to solve a growing problem.  The issue at hand is that these individuals are not receiving proper treatment within these facilities.  Without such treatment upon release these individuals are at a high risk to be placed back within the prison system.

     The view of the neo-conservative suggests these individuals are a threat.   Police play a factor in keeping neighbourhoods safe and if they feel an individual is a threat to the community they are obligated to remove them.  “The police are well aware that if they refer a person with mental illness to the criminal justice system, the individual will be dealt with in a more predictable way. He or she will be taken into custody, will probably be seen by a mental health professional attached to the court or the jail, and will probably receive psychiatric evaluation and treatment” (Lamb, Weinberger, Decuir, 2002).  Thus through placing men and women who have a mental illness in prisons neighbourhood safety is achieved, and the officers believe these individuals will receive the necessary help they require.

     Attitudes of society still hold much stigma and stereotypes when dealing with individuals who have a mental illness.  These attitudes can hinder how individuals are reintegrated into communities, “the social reintegration of ex-psychiatric patients depends crucially upon their acceptance (or rejection) by the host community” (Taylor & Dear, 1981).  This research proves that it is essential for communities to support these individuals if they are to be rehabilitated properly.  If these stereotypes exist it is in my opinion that we will continue to find these individuals within the prison system because of the difficulties faced with trying to reintegrate them into the community. 

     The neoconservative’s idea of getting tough on crime and keeping neighbourhoods safe seemingly ignores the needs of vulnerable individuals that have a mental illness.  There are problems that are occurring at the policing level and community level which help keep these individuals behind bars.  Research has also suggested that systemic problems are occurring and contributing to this problem of the mentally ill being incarcerated (Lamberti et al, 2001).  The health care system, justice system, and social service system all work within their own entity and the defragmentation of services work against individuals who suffer from a mental illness.  The view that the neoconservative government holds ignores possibilities to try and offer solutions to this growing problem.

 

References

Lafond, J. & Durham, M. (1992). Back to the asylum: The future of mental health law in the United States.  Available from http://books.google.ca/books?id=odu2ssjEtAEC&pg=PA53&lpg=PA53&dq=neoconservative+%22mental+illness%22+safety&source=bl&ots=PLfKMg9FrK&sig=VgryzEo6YRz02KDWAsW7BCz-fOs&hl=en&sa=X&ei=TQvGUPejBqaoywGrpICIDg&ved=0CE0Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=neoconservative%20%22mental%20illness%22%20safety&f=false

Lamb, R. Weinberger, L. & Decuir, W.  (2002).  The Police and Mental Health.  Psychiatric Services.  53 (10).  doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.53.10.1266

Lamberti, J., Weisman, R. L., Schwarzkopf, S. B., Price, N., Aston, R., & Trompeter, J. (2001). The Mentally Ill in Jails and Prisons: Towards an Integrated Model of Prevention. Psychiatric Quarterly, 72(1), 63.  Retrieved from: http://web.ebscohost.com.libproxy.auc.ca/ehost/detail?sid=97ceff93-6a0a-46c6-9482-944cb727af8a%40sessionmgr15&vid=1&hid=19&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=11303866

Mackrael, K.  (2009). Canada’s Prisons becoming Warehouses for the Mentally Ill.  The Globe and Mail.  Retrieved from: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadas-prisons-becoming-warehouses-for-the-mentally-ill/article4236899/

Taylor, S. M., & Dear, M. J. (1981). Scaling community attitudes toward the mentally ill. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 7(2), 225-240.  Retrieved from: http://search.proquest.com/docview/614275499?accountid=46683

By: Alissa B

Poverty Facing People Living with a Mental Illness

In Canada there’s been major restructuring of the welfare state in the past years by the government that has led to many policy issues effecting people who have a mental illness.

Canada is continually cutting back government assistance support programs to community based programs because of globalizations and the government’s current neoconservative lens, this has impacted areas such as employment, poverty, housing, education and health care that directly impact those who are living with a mental illness. In Canada there is a lack of social economic supports, insufficient primary health care and community mental health services, shortages of affordable housing and inadequate income support programs (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2007).

            I’ve decided this blog to focus on the social policy issue of poverty for those who are living with a mental illness. When we look at the poverty level in Canada, a high level of people living with a mental illness are living in poverty. In Canada almost 27% of adults with a mental illness are living in poverty (Wilton, 2004). Some of the reasons behind this high rate of poverty for people who live with a mental illness are because a mental illness can interrupt a person’s education or career the result is reduced chance of finding full time employment. This lack of employment then affects that person’s ability to bring in an income to support themselves (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2007). Another reason for poverty facing people with mental illness is because people are frequently not able to access community services and supports due to lack of services and challenges that face the system. With the recent changes to our welfare state in Canada by the government and the changes in our political economy it has negatively affected many people living with a mental illness. For example people who live with disabilities are three times more likely to be poor and four times more likely to receive social assistance than those who live without a disability. In 2006, 1 out of 3 people receiving ODSP were people living with a serious mental illness. But with this said ODSP rates do not cover basic needs i.e. food, clothing and housing. Also many people who live with a mental illness access Ontario Works, and that assistance is half as much as ODSP. 34% of people who live off of ODSP are below the poverty line. These are social assistance programs that are provided by the government that are supposed help meet the needs of Canadian citizen who need them, but they do not  (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2007).

            Through the neo conservative lens, the issue of poverty facing those with mental illnesses and people with other disabilities is not a primary concern. They believe that it should be up to public and private sectors to take on these responsibilities to meet their needs (Mullaly, 2007). 

-          Amanda

References

Canadian Mental Health Association of Ontario . (2007). Poverty and Mental Illness . Retrieved November 29, 2012, from Canadian Mental Health Association of Ontario : http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/admin_ver2/maps/cmha_poverty_backgrounder.pdf

Wilton, R. (2004). Putting Policy into Practice? Poverty and People with Serious Mental Illness. Social Science and Medicine, 25-39.

Mullaly, R. (2007). The New Structural Social Work. Canada: Oxford University Press.


 

 

 

Summary of my Learning on Mental Illness

Throughout this blog post I will be discussing a summary of my learning on the specific group that I focussed on throughout this semester, as well as my learning from other groups, what I would still like to learn and lastly my overall learning of material in relation to other courses.

Over the course of this semester I have expanded my knowledge about mental illnesses that I did not know prior to taking this class and working on the blog posts each week. I have learned the Anishnaabek perspective in regards to how they perceived mental illness in the pre contact era and how it differed significantly from the European perspective in that specific period. I have also had the opportunity to research current issues that many people face today when living with a mental illness such as a lack of appropriate services for those in the prison system and the adverse impact of various cuts to income support programs. From doing our group presentation on mental illness I realized that there are many social problems that effect this vulnerable population and they have to deal with it in their day to day lives. As well, I came across a statistic that definitely surprised me, that “one in five people in Ontario will experience a mental illness at some point in his or her lifetime” (Canadian Mental Health Association, n.d.).

Not only did I learn about living with mental illness in Canada but I had the opportunity to absorb new information and understand current issues that affect other marginalized and vulnerable populations from posting comments on my fellow peer’s blog posts. From reading blogs from other groups, I discovered that there are many issues and social policies affecting gay men in regards to blood donation, immigrants entering into Canada's work force, women in regards to abortion which seems to be a social issue rather than a personal decision, people engaged in prostitution as an ongoing social issue, and first nations people experiencing elder abuse.

On the topic of mental illnesses, I would still like to further my learning on Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When doing research on mental health, I came across the article ‘Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Severe Mental Illness’ and read some interesting points I wish I could have discussed more in a blog and searched for more articles on. Although I did not have the opportunity to spend much time on the topic, I did develop some knowledge on this issue. People with serve mental illness can have a range of destructive and damaging effects caused by trauma. The article goes on to talk about how persons with trauma backgrounds often have more severe signs paired with addictions and access more expensive psychiatric services (Mueser, et al., 1998).

By taking this course it has provided me with the information and knowledge needed to be better understand the concepts, theories, and perspectives. It also helped me with understanding what was going on in my other classes including my second year courses, which I was struggling with at the beginning of the semester.

In conclusion I feel that this course has provided me with an introduction and solid foundation for the many social issues and policies that I will be learning more about over the next few years in the BSW program.

Kristen

 

References

Canadian Mental Health Association. (n.d.). Stigma and Mental Illness. Retrieved December 3, 2012, from http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/fact_sheets.asp?cID=2795

Mueser, K., Goodman, L., Trumbetta, S., Rosenberg, S., Osher, F., Vidaver, R., Auciello, P., & Foy, D. (1998). Trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder in severe mental illness. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66 (3), 493-499.

Picture one retrieved December 3, 2012, from http://www.google.ca/imgres?num=10&hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1366&bih=589&tbm=isch&tbnid=HJRxxpP1fRSCsM:&imgrefurl=http://www.upnbc.org/archives.html&docid=iLyQ5kbC0zCMqM&imgurl=http://www.upnbc.org/images/1in5.jpg&w=540&h=360&ei=G56-UJHtNoae2QW0ioHwBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=383&vpy=161&dur=5805&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=106&ty=96&sig=107326891021269593138&page=3&tbnh=147&tbnw=223&start=50&ndsp=27&ved=1t:429,r:65,s:0,i:284

Picture two retrieved December 4, 2012, from http://www.google.ca/imgres?num=10&hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1366&bih=589&tbm=isch&tbnid=Z3WYJWCh_Ati-M:&imgrefurl=http://www.mymentalhealth.ca/Learn/TypesofMentalIllness/Schizophrenia/tabid/864/Default.aspx&docid=vS1x5VwdaGH5tM&imgurl=http://www.mymentalhealth.ca/Portals/mymh/1in5logo.gif&w=164&h=74&ei=G56-UJHtNoae2QW0ioHwBQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=401&sig=107326891021269593138&page=1&tbnh=59&tbnw=131&start=0&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:12,s:0,i:120&tx=66&ty=40

Income Support Program for Persons with Mental Disabilities

The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is only available to people who live in Ontario and is a means-tested income support that is paid to persons with a disability. Persons living with mental disabilities may qualify for ODSP but there are certain eligibility criteria that one has to meet before being accepted (Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services, 2012). In a news article ‘Ontario commission calls for integrated welfare program to include the disabled and remove barriers to work’, Monsebraaten (2012) stated that in 2009-2010, about 60% of new applicants applying for ODSP were suffering from mental illness. Since not everyone who applies can be accepted, I would assume that those who do not qualify or are not accepted to receive ODSP often apply for Ontario Works (OW). OW provides benefits to persons who are in need of financial assistance and who are currently looking for any type of employment or temporary work. OW also provides employment assistance to assist clients with acquiring the needed skills to find a job (Canadian Mental Health Association, n.d.). Throughout this blog post, I will be discussing recent budget cuts to social support programs and the effects to those who receive income support.

Hick says that under the conservative ideology, “they argue that private social welfare is better – it reduces social services and targets social program benefits to only the very needy” (Hick, 2007, p. 58). I believe that our Ontario government follows a conservative ideology and that is the reason for recent cuts to various social programs. In the news article ‘Ontario budget 2012: Welfare rate freeze really a cut, activists say’, A Toronto woman was shocked to hear of budget plans to remove valuable benefits that include the community start-up and maintenance benefit (Monsebraaten, 2012). As of January 2013, these benefits will no longer be available for those who are on OW (Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, 2012). I believe that this will have a huge impact on those persons with mental disabilities and will affect their lives greatly. I did my college placement at a mental health hospital – inpatient unit and saw first-hand how helpful those benefits were for those people who deal with mental health problems. Many long term care patients that were getting ready to be discharged from the hospital received OW and counted on the community start-up program to help pay for their move into a new place.  It was the help they needed to get back on their feet. Sadly, I believe that many people struggle emotionally and financially with the transition and not being able to access such helpful benefits such as those described above, will present even more obstacles to them making a successful adjustment back into the community.

People with mental illnesses often encounter many challenges and barriers in life which include poverty, social stigma, a lack of affordable housing and limited employment opportunities (Wilton, 2004). Also, I believe that in Ontario many people struggle to survive on income support programs and often do not receive enough money to have all their basic needs met such as food, clothing and shelter. Therefore, they live in poverty. In the news article, ‘Ontario budget 2012: Welfare rate freeze really a cut, activists say’ Monsebraaten interviewed a women who has been looking for work for over 3 years and struggled to survive on her OW check, which $599 a month. The woman interviewed talked about her rent being more than what she received from OW and the fact that she needed to access other services such as a soup kitchens and food banks. With no money left for transportation, she is often walked everywhere to get to the places she needed to be (Monsebraaten, 2012). Unfortunately, I think that this is a reality for many people including people with mental health problems who receive income support.

In conclusion persons with mental disabilities often receive income support from either ODSP or OW. Conservative ideologies are the driving force of cut backs in Ontario.  These cuts to income support programs will affect many people including people with mental illnesses. This marginalized and very vulnerable population face many challenges in dealing with their mental illness and without these programs to assist with even their basic needs they must now face even more barriers throughout their lives. 

Kristen

References

Canadian Mental Health Association. (n.d.). Ontario Works. Retrieved December 2, 2012, from http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/services_and_supports.asp?cID=7581

Hick, S. (2007). Social welfare in Canada: Understanding income security. Toronto, ON:

Thompson Educational Publishing.

Monsebraaten, L. (2012). Ontario budget 2012: Welfare rate freeze really a cut, activists say. Retrieved December 2, 2012 from http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1152810--ontario-budget-2012-welfare-rate-freeze-really-a-cut-activists-say

Monsebraaten, L. (2012). Ontario commission calls for integrated welfare program to include the disabled and remove barriers to work. Retrieved from December 2, 2012, from http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1276481--ontario-commission-calls-for-integrated-welfare-program-including-for-disabled-that-removes-barriers-to-work

Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP). (2012). Cross-Ontario Events- Fighting the Cut to Community Start Up. Retrieved December 2, 2012, from http://www.ocap.ca/node/1016

Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services. (2012). Income Support: Disability/health eligibility. Retrieved December 2, 2012, from http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/income_support/eligibility/disability_Health.aspx

Wilton, R. (2004, January). Putting policy into practice? Poverty and people with serious mental illness. Social Science & Medicine, 58 (1), 25-39.

Picture Retrieved December 3, 2012, from
http://www.google.ca/imgres?start=86&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbo=d&biw=1366&bih=589&tbm=isch&tbnid=I9cja4IWXJnfMM:
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New Changes to Criminal Code Sparks Debate About Proper Treatment of High-Risk Mentally Ill Offenders

There is growing concern and debate in the Mental Health field about the Federal government making significant changes to the Criminal Code of Canada. These changes will make it harder for doctors to let killers out of custody after they have been found not criminally responsible.¹ The annual review hearings for mentally ill offenders diagnosed “not criminally responsible” at time of crime, is currently on a yearly review process during their treatment at a psychiatric facility.² Due to growing concern and outcry from the victim’s families of these crimes, Ottawa is planning to push back the review process to every 3 years by 2013 and new law changes could make it more difficult for doctors to release them.³

There are mixed opinions about these up-coming law changes from mental health professionals/activists and politicians. Some of these opinions include that of Mayor Richard Stewart of Coquitlam, which is beside Port Coquitlam and its psychiatric hospital housing mentally ill killers.⁴ One of these patients includes Allan Schoenborn who was found not criminally responsible for killing his three children.⁵ The Mayor feels for the victims’ families, and agrees that changing the rules better balances the rights of all of the parties involved with crimes committed by the mentally ill. These parties include those who have not been convicted of a crime due to their illnesses, and rights of society that need protection as well.⁶

Though, many mental health professionals and social activists feel that these changes to the criminal code could result in a challenge under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms for violating the rights of patients. For example, SFU criminology Prof. Simon Verdun-Jones feels that there must be more compassion for the mentally ill, stating that if our courts want to indefinitely lock someone up as a result of something they did when they were not criminally responsible they should also remember that the individual is a victim of their own mental illness as well.⁷ He feels that these changes would be violating the rights of the patients that were diagnosed “unaware of their crimes” due to their state of mental illness at the time.⁸

Catherine Latimer, Executive Director of the John Howards Society of Canada also expressed her concern, as well as the organization’s concerns with the law changes.⁹ She explained even though she understands the pain and trauma that the families of victims experience in these cases, our society has to remember that if these killers are diagnosed as not criminally responsible at the time of attack due the their state of mental illness, keeping them locked up is not a proper solution to the problem at hand.¹⁰ She feels the focus of the justice system should be to work harder to provide treatment for these people swiftly so that they no longer pose a threat to society, and it is important for people who lost their liberties to get yearly reviews.¹¹ She also suggested the Criminal Code may be vulnerable for a charter challenge if these changes go through and they are detaining someone when they are treated and no longer pose a threat to society.¹²

The issue of these law changes to the Criminal Code of Canada regarding mentally ill offenders is a highly debatable, important issue happening in our society right now. I feel that the Federal government is currently dealing with this issue through a liberal (institutional) ideological lens because they are kind of taking a band-aid/cover-up approach to deal with this problem. They are dealing with the concerns of the victim’s families by institutionalizing these high-risk mentally ill offenders for a longer period of time but not really dealing with the major underlying this issue. According to the liberal ideology lens the government provides basic security and minimal social services and this is displayed through their law changes of the Criminal Code. If they were to really start addressing the concern about mentally ill offenders they would have to look at the rooted issue of the lack of mental health assistance for those in need in our social-welfare system.

-Maggie Turpin

References:

^1-8: News, CBC. "Mentally Ill Killers Could Face Tougher Road to Release - British Columbia - CBC News." CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 21 Nov. 2012. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/11/21/bc

criminal-code-changes.html>.

^9-12: "The Government Proposes Changes to Keep Mentally Ill Offenders in Detention for Longer - On The Coast - CBC Player." CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 22 Nov. 2012. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. <http://www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/Local Shows/British Columbia/On The Coast/ID/2308323543/>.

Finding Affordable House While Living with a Mental Disability

       

 

 

 

 

         For my third blog I chose to focus on the rights and issues of persons with mental disabilities, and the struggles they encounter while looking for proper housing, or living in group homes. I chose to mainly focus on those who suffer from being mentally challenged. For those living with mental health disabilities it can be difficult to find and hold down living establishments due to issues such as stigma, negative attitudes, second class citizenship, affordable housing, lack of basic life skills, and accesibility to the home as well as community. These issues directly impact ones ability to rent, own, or keep their own house, or apartment in the community. I was sad to discover that even those who are mentally challenged, who are living within community based group homes, are not garunteed a spot in their homes permanently. Group homes can move or discharge residence depending on circumstances. Further more for the majority of people with serious mental illness, who rely on provincial income support, the private rental housing market is beyond their financial means. (Mental Health Association of Canada).

            For a majority of people who are mentally challenged in Ontario it can be difficult to find suitble work due to factors such as stigma, restirctions on what they as a human can handle physically, negative attitudes, maajority only being able to work part time etc. Although a majority due receive a monthly cheque titled the Ontario Disability Supplement Pay (ODSP) from the governement, these chques even when combined with part time work leave the population with a low income. For those who are not living in community based group home and are able to live on their own low income can be an incredible issue. Receiving such a low income makes it difficult for this population to find housing that is affordable for them, if they are not able to live in a community group home. Further into the issue of low income, well needing to be able to afford rent on such a budget, persons would also need to afford food, possibly hydro and water, furniture, other esstentials etc. which can be difficult to manage. Accessibility also ties in with these issues, and makes it difficult to find a suitable living area. For example a majority of persons with a mental disability have been deamed unsuitable to operate a motor vehicle, which in turn requires them to live in an area of a community that is close enough to public transportation to be accessed easily. Another example may be if one struggles with stairs, lifting, etc. it can be difficult to find a house or apartment that is suitable a minimizes the risks associated, and it can be even more difficult to find a landlord who is willing to rent to tenanent who poses issues. Finally for those living with a mental disability who are living on their own who struggle with basic life skills such as cooking, cleaning, or basic hygene may need to hire someone to come into their homes to assist them if family or friends are unavailable which can add to their cost of living. This again ties in with the issues of low income. Housing is a basic requirement for good health. Decent, safe and affordable housing contributes to our physical and mental well-being. For people with serious mental illnesses, a safe and affordable home can be a place to live in dignity and move toward recovery (Canadian Mental Health Association).

 

            Throughout the 1970’s housing programs began to arise. New community-oriented residential facilities (CRFs) were developed which, by 1977, housed more than 60,000 mentally retarded people (Sterling & Garrard 1982). These houses are still available in communities today, however updated to fit into today’s society. An example of one would be the Sudbury Developmental Services which has several group homes located all over the city of Greater Sudbury. However as mentioned before even this form of residence is not considered permanent for those who live there. A number of circumstances can mean removal from the group homes all together, or transfer from one home to another. For those who live with a mental disability a change from one home to the next can have serious impacts on their well being. Further more a change in a group home when it pertains to staff changes, changes in routine etc. can also have a severe impact on ones well being. Over time, "good" community places can become "bad," perhaps because of changes in staff commitment, administrative style or support, and day-to-day opportunities (both real and perceived) for engagement with and control over the environment (Landesman & Butterfield 2003). The challenges of finding proper employment still exist while living within these group homes, however I feel that while living in these homes although it is not permanent decreases the worry of things such as low income, basic life skills, accessibility, stigma, etc. Although the stigma still exists outside the home within the community, inside the home they are living with people who will not judge them, and working with staff who are their to help them not judge them. Although living in the group homes is not free, it is less expensive then living on their own because they do not need to worry about food, essentials, high rent, etc. As well with accessibility and basic life skills, these homes are designed to help people with mental disabilities, and majorities are designed with wheel chair accessibility and features to help with any other form of disability. Transportation to and from appointments, events, or work is provided for those who reside in these homes. However these establishments are not perfect either and have issues as well. These issues can be related to staff, or residents who do not get along, residents can be violent at times, 5 people with disabilities all living together can pose a challenge, etc. An example may be one resident having an issue with a routine change, and becoming violent, and yelling. This behavior can upset the other residents and cause the course of their day to be off and causing them to become upset or have behavioral issues as well.

Referances:

http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/policy-human-rights-and-rental-housing

http://www.cgsds.ca/

http://www.cmha.ca/

 

Picture: http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/make-your-home-handicap-accessible-1a.jpg

Sterling & Garrard. (Nov. 1982). Health Services for Mentally Retarded People in Community Residences:Problems and Questions. In AJPH. Retrieved Nov.14, 2012, from Vol. 72. No. 11 p. 1226-1229.

 

Landesman & Butterfeild. (2003). Normalization and Deinstitutionalizationof Mentally Retarded IndividualsControversy and Facts. In Child Development and Mental Retardation Center,. Retrieved Nov.14, 2012, from Vol. 42, No. 8, 809-816.

Erica

Prevention and Awareness of Mental Health a Liberal Ideology

     Prevention and awareness of mental health can be viewed as stemming from a liberal ideology lens.  This ideology is concerned with the development of individuals as well as all of the Canadian people as a nation (Pearson, 2012).  It is through this concern that communities come together for a cause and speak on an issue, in order to prevent it from occurring.  This ideology believes in the notion that communities need to come together to educate one another, thus contributing to the development of individuals.  There is a belief within this ideology which pushes for men and women to become responsible citizens by creating opportunity (Pearson, 2012).

     In my opinion an article posted by Organville.com supports this ideology.  It is about a community raising awareness about a mental health issue in the town of Orangeville.  The issue revolves around suicide, and how mental illness is a factor.  During the 10^th annual World Suicide Prevention Day, a number of people including the mayor of Orangeville spoke about this topic and ways to prevent suicide from occurring among the youth.   It was also stated that mental illness that is untreated is a major contributing factor to suicide (Tremblay, 2012).  To be more specific, individuals who have depression are at a high risk for committing suicide.  Also one in five children have a mental illness severe enough to impact their daily living (Tremblay, 2012).

     I think that it is important to bring awareness to this topic, because it is becoming an epidemic.  More people are dying from suicide, than from homicide and war (Tremblay, 2012).  This is something that effects society as a whole, and bringing awareness opens the door for citizens to create opportunities to do something to try and help.  It allows for people to educate themselves, and when people are educated change can occur. 

     Suicide is one of those taboo topics being covered up, and no one wants to talk about it.  As mental illness becomes more prevalent suicide will always be an issue.  It is important for communities to come together and work on making it known just how mental illness is a factor in suicide.  In order to try and prevent something from happening sometimes we need to look at the whole picture.  In this instance society needs to be educated more about mental illness, as it is an underlying factor, and suicide occurs all too often.

 

~Alissa B

 

References

Pearson, L.  (2012). On Liberalism.  Retrieved from:                                                                        http://www.canadahistory.com/sections/documents/leaders/Pearson/On%20Liberalism.html

Tremblay, B.  (2012, Sept 12). Raising Awareness of Mental Health (column).  Retrieved from: http://www.orangeville.com/opinion/columns/article/1500988--raising-awareness-of-mental-health-column