A letter to the editor published in today's edition of The Chronicle Herald:
It is both disheartening and frustrating to know of our huge deficiencies in mental health awareness and treatment in this province. But with more stories making their way to the surface and into the public eye, I believe we are on the cusp of exploding the barriers surrounding the topic forever.
For many families and sufferers dealing with mental illness, it’s a double-edged sword, so to speak. You want to stand up and demand more, but fear usually prevents many of us from doing so. And who could blame us? Sadly, many believe exposing one’s mental illness is a sign of weakness or failure. But the truth is, mental illnesses are just like any other illness requiring treatment. So why are we not dealing with them as such?
With one in every five people on this planet suffering from some form of mental illness, I know that you know someone who struggles. One of the campaign slogans for the Canadian Mental Health Commission is "Out of the Shadows Forever." I really like it. But it is up to us to make it happen. I believe we will. I will. Will you join me?
Karen Parker, Head of St. Margaret’s Bay
