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