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Admitting to having faults FRANCIS RACINE francis.racine@eap.on.ca
Canadian Mental Health Association The Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA) Community Support programs are client-centered services designed to en- hance the rehabilitation, adjustment and independence of individuals living with a severe mental illness or concurrent disorder (mental illness combined with substance use disorder). These services are flexible, portable and community-based. They are designed to facilitate maximum individual participation and self determination. The Case Manager works in collaboration with individuals and informs them about choices as well as helpful life skills. It is up to the individual to make decisions that influ- ence all aspects of their lives. Several programs and services are of- fered, including a community support pro- gram, an intensive case management pro- gram, community treatment orders (CTO), a court diversion program, a court support program, supportive housing and support- ive employment programs, a family support program and a peer - support program.
get any worse than it is,” she said. “I know in my right mind that life isn’t that bad, and things could actually be way worse. But there’s no way to get around the fact that I feel like garbage. I feel like I’m stuck in a rut, and there’s absolutely no way to get out of it.” Like so many afflicted with mental illness, the middle-aged woman decided to create her own “homemade” remedies, in order to somehowmake the depressing feelings dis- appear. “That’s one problem with depres- sion when you don’t have help,” she said.” You don’t know how to deal with anything.
sion, she said.”I don’t think I ever had a drinking problem, I had a depression prob- lem. But the people in those groups are very welcoming, very kind and that was the kind of support I needed.” Sometime after, Jesse visited her doctor and explained what she had been going through for many years. In her own words, she now feels “110% better”. “There are a lot of weird labels associated with depression, so when you go out of your way to point out a fault in yourself, it’s really hard,”she said. “My doctor did blood work and found that my serotonin level was lower than it should be.” When asked what kind of advice she would give to others who silently suffer from mental illness, she replies that “the first step is admitting to yourself that there is something off, and that it’s okay. The biggest problem people have is admitting that they have a fault. After admitting that there’s something wrong, seek help with someone you trust. Admit there is a prob- lem and when and if you are ready, tell your loved ones.”
CORNWALL | Following a suicide that sparked concern throughout the com- munity on November 26, mental health is once again the topic of the hour. The Jour- nal sat down with an individual currently affected by mental illness, in the hopes of shedding light on the many struggles she faces in her everyday life. Her name has been altered, as to not reveal her true identity. Sitting at her
So you turn to stupid remedies like drink- ing. What could be better than trying to forget? Even for a half an hour?” But on one particu- lar evening, following a relationship change, Jesse’s life took a turn for the worst, for it nearly ended in
“There are a lot of weird labels associated with de- pression, so when you go out of your way to point out a fault in yourself, it’s really hard,”
kitchen table, Jesse looks like any typical person. But behind her soft face hides a dark secret. For most of her adult life, the city resident has had inner struggles with depression. “I can’t pinpoint
a specific incident that started them, but I definitely can’t say I’ve always had them (depressive moods),” she explained. “I had a very pleasant childhood, and I was always very happy. If I had to pinpoint when they started occurring, I’d say around the age of 19 when life starting getting ‘very real’, when I became an adult.” Asked what she goes through when she’s being besieged by these said moods, her answer is shocking. “When my depression hits its peak, I feel like life itself could not
tragedy. “I was extremely intoxicated and decided I didn’t want to feel the way I did anymore,” she admitted. “On a weekly basis I would drink myself into oblivion, and this time, I decided I couldn’t do that anymore. I had to make it stop. Luckily, a friend of mine followed me down the road and stopped me before I could jump in front of a car.” Following the incident, the Cornwall resident decided to join Alcoholics Anony- mous (AA). “Being around people who had a drinking problem didn’t help my depres-
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The City of Cornwall raised $150 through the sale of old street banners, which will in turn be donated to UnitedWay of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry. City em- ployee Julie Donkers is seen giving the donation to Sherry Davis and Lori Greer, of UnitedWay.
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