Educate politicians on mental health, mayor says

North Bay Mayor Al McDonald admitted to being a bit of a “fish out of water” as a panellist at the North East Local Health Integration Network's Mental Health and Substance Abuse Forum on March 19.

So before speaking to the topic the panel addressed — building healthy, resilient and inclusive communities — he did a little research.

McDonald started looking up mental health and addictions services in his community, and stopped when he'd counted 30. He also met last week with a group of workers employed in the sector to pick their brains.

But overall, McDonald admits his ignorance in the area.

“How do we build a healthy, inclusive community when your community leader has no idea what the challenge is or what the issue is?”

He advised the mental health and addictions workers at the conference not to let this situation stand.

Call your mayor, city councillors, MPs and MPPs, and tell them of what's going on with mental health and addictions and what they can do to help, McDonald said.

“I would just encourage you to reach out, because elected officials only have so much time,” he said. “Hopefully they're dedicated to their communities, and will step up.”

He brought up the example of North Bay's drug strategy, which is an effort aimed at co-ordinating prevention, harm reduction, recovery and enforcement efforts in the area.

“It was amazing, when I was elected, and wanting to get this initiative off the ground, how many individuals came to me and told me not to do it,” McDonald said.
“Their reasoning was 'You don't talk about your problems in public.'”

Community leaders “must have the strength to speak about these issues,” and for that to happen, they need to have enough information, he said.

North East LHIN CEO Louise Paquette said her organization put together the conference to allow those who work at mental health and addictions services across the northeast to share ideas.

The North East LHIN spends $75 million a year on such services, she said.

“Today, we have close to 300 people from across northeastern Ontario who have come together to talk about mental health and addiction services, our success stories and what we're doing well,” Paquette said.

“They're also talking about some of our challenges and what sort of solutions there are, but most importantly what we can do to build partnerships, to ensure there's co-ordination of services right across the northeast.”

Northern Initiative for Social Action executive director Shana Calixte said when she was asked to speak about creating healthy, resilient, inclusive communities, she decided to share the NISA model.

NISA is a grassroots mental health group in Sudbury focusing on vocational skills, creative endeavours and peer support.

In terms of creating healthy communities, at NISA, clients are encouraged to express their true feelings, and are accepted for who they really are, something the general population could learn from, she said.

“Often you can find yourself in the hallway, asking how someone is doing, and not being afraid when the person says 'You know what, not so good,'” she said.

“What's healthy about this honest sharing of feelings is you can work to normalize how we all move and engage with the world, identifying the ups and downs, and illuminating when we really need help.”

Acceptance is also key to creating an inclusive community, Calixte said.

“Being truly inclusive means we must hear all the voices and acknowledge all experiences.”

She said she sees resiliency among her clients every day, as they've had to spring back from losing jobs and loved ones, but are learning vocational skills, participating in an art project or providing peer support.

First Nations people have to be the most resilient people in the world, said Sharon Wabegigig, program co-ordinator with the Raising the Spirits Mental Wellness Team, who also participated in the panel.

Her organization provides support for mental health and addictions workers in 10 First Nations communities in the Sudbury and Manitoulin region.

Wabegigig said Aboriginals have had to deal with loss of culture resulting from the residential schools, child welfare issues in their communities, as well as the ongoing impacts of the Indian Act, which she said causes “oppression.”

First Nations people also have high levels of almost every sort of health problem, including mental health and addictions issues, Wabegigig said.

So how can mainstream mental health and addictions organizations help? She suggests they reach out to their local First Nations community, and invite community members to sit on boards and participate in the decision-making process.

“What are we recommending to you?” she said. “To include us in the things that you're doing. Inviting us, opening your door through your genuine interest, to learn about our cultural values, to listen and to be responsive.”

Jim Baraniuk, CEO of the Algoma Anchor Agency, an umbrella organization for mental health and addictions services in the Sault Ste. Marie area, said everyone in the room probably agreed change is necessary.

If there was a “blank slate” for mental health and addictions services, what would subsequently set up “probably wouldn't look like the current structure,” he said.

Baraniuk emphasized the need for more early interventions and more holistic services, as opposed to specialized services.

He also said the way mental health and addictions services are delivered probably has to change because of the state of the province's finances.

“We need to become much more creative,” he said. “What can we do together to capitalize on some of the existing structures we have, related to building our services and investing in front-line services?”