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"We are all human beings. We are all vulnerable, we all suffer and we all need help from time to time. This is the normal thing and I hope we can get that message across. "
Ashif Kassam, owner of Lumina Counseling Services in St. Albert, says so. With over 20 years of experience in the fields of psychology and psychiatry, Kassam has helped many people to change their lives.
Yet there are still so many other people who are reluctant to talk about mental health and illness. We have come a long way, but the stigma around the subject remains.
"As we become more open and honest, I hope people can just say that they are suffering from depression. Just as they would by saying that they have diabetes, "Kassam said.
September is the month of suicide prevention. Talking about the stigma of suicide and mental illness is absolutely essential in suicide prevention. Although people are not ashamed of admitting a physical injury, the same is not always true when it comes to mental health. A common misconception is that it is the person's fault for having a mental illness, that they are not doing everything in their power to solve the problem.
The truth is that there are wider social problems involved. There is no simple reason for a suicide. But knowing when and how to ask about suicide can save lives.
Start the conversation
St. Albert is a relatively rich community. As a result, Kassam stated that he often saw people who were high status and physically fit, but who did not have a contact person. They may have a deeply rooted problem or have developed some habit in their thinking that is actually dangerous.
"It's hard for someone with anxiety, addiction, or depression to cope. Even if we know that something is wrong. . . we have neither the tools nor the objectivity to get out of it. "
Kassam said counseling is an extremely important step in suicide prevention, whether through the primary care network, individual therapists or people belonging to religious organizations. He added that therapy is far from psychoanalysis that people are trying to avoid.
Although some disorders (such as schizophrenia) require medication, Kassam believes that there are other effective treatments that do not cause side effects. At Lumina Counseling Services, Kassam uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to treat a variety of mental disorders. This technique places the counselor and the patient on the same team. Literally, the acronym TEAM describes how the process works: tests, empathy, agenda and methods.
Patients are tested before and after each session to measure their thoughts and feelings. Kassam says that it keeps the counselor on the same wavelength as the patient because "a person can be smiling, but really very depressed". This continuous feedback allows the counselor to better understand the patient's experience.
Empathy is about putting aside prejudices and getting into another person's shoes. Without empathy, a person may feel misunderstood. The agenda is to set goals as a priority. And finally, methods are the ways in which thoughts, functions, and perceptions are changed.
Kassam said that his success rate with CBT is in the 90's. He said that, well done, it's better than anything that exists for things like anxiety, depression, addiction and a number of things. other mental illnesses.
But, important as the advice is, it can not be forced.
Find the human link
Yoga, choir, crafts, books and quilts. These are just a few of the peer relations groups offered by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in Edmonton.
Groups focus on one task or activity and the goal is to create a fun, safe and welcoming environment for all. People struggling with their mental health are particularly welcome. If counseling does not seem to be the right option, these groups can help people creatively overcome their creativity.
It's easier to talk about your difficulties with people who really care and understand. And that's exactly what these groups are meant for. Gail Haynes, Housing Services Manager at CMHA, said the quilting club is very popular this year.
"They are obviously together and quilt, but it's more than that. This reduces social isolation and people can make meaningful connections. If anyone has suicidal thoughts, he has someone to talk to.
Then, the ACSM is working on a project called Recovery College. The project is inspired by the Recovery College in Calgary, with an educational approach that integrates both people with lived experience and a trained facilitator.
"It's not just open to people with lived experience – the Recovery College or our peer relationships – anyone can attend if they're interested," Haynes said.
In Calgary, there are over 30 courses to help people recognize and develop their own ingenuity and awareness to support their recovery journey. All classes are free, although some require prior registration.
Haynes said that the ACSM in Edmonton is asking people to submit course submissions. Topics may vary. In Calgary, they have everything from Understanding harm reduction to adopting adults 101. The goal is to co-produce the program, so that the courses offered are exactly what the community needs. Haynes said the college is expected to open in 2019.
"Mental health is stigmatized. It is about changing perceptions at all levels.
Hope, help and healing
St. Albert is taking steps to normalize mental illness.
This year saw the first annual candlelight vigil in support of World Suicide Prevention Day. Faye Tkachuck, co-chair of the St. Albert Bereavement Fellowship, said such functions are extremely important for initiating conversations about suicide.
"There are a lot of people in our group who have lost (somebody) to suicide or who feel they are considering this idea," she said. "If you do not talk about these things, you become sicker and that goes further. It's not good for health. "
Tkachuck has been a volunteer for the mourning scholarship for about 10 years. The non-profit group aims to help people cope with the death of a loved one. She said she had noticed that problems such as suicide and accidental overdoses seemed easier to talk about than in the past.
"We had a woman coming and going for 10 years. Only six months ago, she told me that her husband had died of a suicide. She said the only reason she could (admit) that was because we had a speaker who was talking about suicide death.
For so many years, it was easier for the woman to say that her husband had died of a heart attack rather than a suicide. Her husband was well known in the community and she could not admit it.
"She said that she was like a little bird with a broken wing. She could not fly. It just kept him going. When she was finally able to admit it, she said that she felt like she was losing 10 tons.
The Mourning Grant has a 24/7 help line so people can call when they are feeling down. Everything is confidential and no questions are asked unless necessary. The line is for people suffering from a loss, but Tkachuck said that they also direct people to self-help resources or health professionals.
"We can not help unless they call us. This can save a lot of grief. It could even save a life, "she said. "If we can open it and talk about it; it does not help the dead, but it helps the living.
Suicide is preventable. Know the warning signs and available resources.
The acronym IS PATH WARM can help someone recognize a person at risk:
I – Suicide ideasS – Substance abuse
P – Without any goal
A – anxiety
T – Trapped
H – hopelessness / helplessness
W – Withdrawal
A – anger
R – carelessness
M – mood changes
For more information on suicide, visit www.suicideinfo.ca or www.ab.211.ca to find out about mental health programs in your area.
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