A letter to the editor posted today on SouthShoreNow.ca:I wanted to acknoweldge Robert Hirtle for the kind and congratulatory article outlining the Mental Health Foundation's Inspiring Lives Awards, of which I was a recipient. I must say, it came as a surprise when my mother phoned me in Halifax to inform me of the article, entitled "Honoured for inspiring others."
At first, I was a little nervous about the mention of my personal health history, but was somewhat prepared for it, as I knew that the Inspiring Lives Awards was a public event.
However, although depression is becoming more accepted and talked about, it occurred to me that most people who would be reading the article may not be aware of what schizophrenia is all about. Although it differs in presentation and severity from person to person, more than two-thirds of people living with the illness will significantly recover. I feel blessed to be a part of this group.
Also, readers may not be aware that there is a support group in Bridgewater, a chapter of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia, which offers education and support to mental health consumers and their families.
And, if you or a loved one is suffering from distressing or unusual symptoms involving paranoia, hallucinations or simply a decline in emotional responsiveness or intellecual functioning, the Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program in Halifax will take no longer than one week to schedule an assessment. They then direct the person to additional supportive services, and provide an appropriate medication and psychosocial regime.
For the last year and a half, I have been working as a peer support worker at Laing House in Halifax, a drop-in support centre for youth with mental illness, and I want to emphasize my observations of how miraculous yet common recovery from serious mental illness can be.
Although my recovery was celebrated at Inspiring Lives, I am not so unique. In fact, most people with severe mental illness do recover and give back to their communities.
Mental illness need not be feared or stigmatized, but should be out in the open, so those people who are suffering can experience inclusion in their communities, and can get the help they need. If anyone is interested in knowing more information on the topic, the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia has a website which features a wealth of information at http://www.ssns.ca.
I hope the article illustrated to your readers that mental illness need not be a life sentence, but merely an obstacle, a challenge and an opportunity for growth.
Laura Burke [pictured]
Halifax
Photograph courtesy of SouthShoreNow.ca.
