Mental Health and Immigrants as well as Refugees

            Throughout many years “Canada continues to be a prominent immigrant and refugee-receiving country in worldwide migration, resettlement, and search for refugee_{”. (Stewart, Anderson, Beiser, Mwakarimba, Neufeld, Simich, & Spitzer, 2008)} Both refugees and immigrants are leaving or in some cases fleeing their home counties. Which ever the case may be, both immigrants and refugees go through so many emotions. This can lead to many mental health issues. For example a refugee feeling their home may be stressed and/or anxious. An immigrant leaving their home may feel stressed and/or worried about what their new lives will be like. If anyone has ever moved houses in their life time then they know how stressful it can be, making sure you don’t forget anything, the stress of being sure you are out of the house by your deadline, setting up your new house, adjusting to your new environment and making new friends. It is hard enough to move houses within your area, never mind moving to a different country where you don’t know anyone and you don’t know all the norms of a culture, it can be very scary and intimidating.

            “In many cases, newcomers’ efforts to seek help are thwarted by systematic obstacles. Newcomers experienced extensive unmet support needs, which service providers cannot adequately meet due to bureaucratic and resource constraints. Policies in various sectors that affect the lives on immigrants and refugees are inadequate for bridging their support deficiencies.” _{(Stewart, Anderson, Beiser, Mwakarimba, Neufeld, Simich, & Spitzer, 2008)} Basically this means that it is very difficult for both immigrants and refugees to settle in easily to their new homes. _{(Stewart, Anderson, Beiser, Mwakarimba, Neufeld, Simich, & Spitzer, 2008)} Without the proper resources immigrants and refugees need to make a healthy and successful transition into Canada it will be very difficult for them to improve their lives.

            “The U.S. and Canada are countries that have been shaped and defined by immigration. In recent decades, however, changes in the immigration policies of both countries have resulted in more heterogeneous immigrant flows than ever before.” _{(Teixeira, & Wei, 2009)} I believe this is a really good thing because it shows that Canada is trying not to discriminate based on gender or culture. One thing that I was not happy to hear about is how it is very difficult to get an immigrant into Canada if they have a known disability. I don’t agree with this because even though Canada is being very diverse, they are still discriminating against people who did not make the decision to have a disability. Everyone deserves a chance to have a wonderful life and be viewed upon as an equal.

            Immigrants and refugees go through many processes and may wait years until they are accepted into Canada. While they are trying to improve their lives their mental health may decrease because of the worry, stress, possible depression, and anxiety they go through while enduring their move, and Canada needs to do everything in their power to provide the resources needed to help immigrants and refugees live a long, healthy, and successful life.

References:

- Stewart, Miriam, Anderson, Joan, Beiser, Morton,

Mwakarimba, Edward, Neufeld, Anne,

Simich, Laura, & Spitzer, Denise. (2008).

Multicultural meanings of social among

immigrants and refugees. 46(3).

- Teixeira, Carlos, & Wei, Li. (2009). Immigrant and

refugee experiences in north american cities. 7(3),

221-227.

- Brettany G.

Mental Health and Physical Disabilities

            When a person has to deal not only with mental health issues but physical disabilities as well, life is a lot harder. War Veterans are a very good example of people who sometimes have to deal with both of these hardships at the same time. War Veterans go to fight for our Country or to keep the peace, however while they are doing their duties they see many heartbreaking scenes. For example they may witness starving children and families, they may see people getting beaten up for different reasons, or they may even witness one of their own die. All of these situations affect the mental health of War Veterans. The War Veterans may feel responsible for not being able to save one of his/her own and they may feel depressed after witnessing so many terrible things.

“Soldiers often relay that the most stressful event of a peace keeping mission was not the inability to defend their personal safety; rather it was witnessing many extreme atrocities they were helpless to prevent, such as death of civilians, including children.” _{(P. 511 Richardson, Naifeh, & Elhai, 2007)} Soldiers are meant to help people and carry a lot of weight on their shoulders. They know that people are counting on them, and when they cannot save civilians they feel like they are letting everyone down, including themselves. To be a soldier is very stressful, which is why their mental health is not very stable when soldiers are serving their country. “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression often occur together.” “When PTSD and depression occur together, it may reflect a shared vulnerability or independent sequelae to trauma exposure.” _{(P. 511 Richardson, Naifeh, & Elhai, 2007)}

In addition to the mental health issues War Veterans face on a daily basis, they may also have physical disabilities due to the time they served their Country. Some Veterans return home to their families with no physical injuries or disabilities; however others are not so lucky. For example many veterans lose limbs, whether it is a leg or an arm it is still a major adjustment for the veteran. Some fight an on going battle to live a normal life, but have a hard time because they may not be able to do the same things they could before. By having physical disabilities Veterans will have more mental health issues if they have not accepted what had happened and cannot find a way to move forward with their lives. They could become depressed because they do not feel like they have much to live for, or worse.

War Veterans do a lot for our Country, they struggle because of what they have seen, and have to endure the physical disabilities that they may have to live with. Veterans put their lives on the line everyday knowing that they may not come out alive, and if they do make it then they will have to be able to face themselves and the health problems (mental and/or physical) that come with it.

Resources:

Richardson, D. J, Naifeh, J. A, & Elhai, J. D. (2007).

  Posttraumatic stress disorder and associated risk

  factors in canadian peacekeeping veterans with

  health-related disabilities. 52(8), 510-518.

- Brettany G.

Individualized Health Care Services

Not only are some members of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ) community stigmatized for not being heterosexual, some may also be stigmatized for having a mental disability such as depression. These mental health issues may be left untreated because they feel uncomfortable with the health care services available. 

The service needs for lesbians and gay men are different from mainstream needs. These different needs arise because of the impacts of stigma, exclusion and invisibility which results in internal and external experiences of oppression. (Duncan, Halton, Hampson, Krieger, & MacDonnell, 2000) The role of oppression is to create a feeling of unworthiness and not accept anyone who is not “normal.”  Societies idea of normalcy is completely absurd because everyone is different in some way.  Being that everyone is their own person, should have an impact on the way social services are carried out.  There should be different protocols when it comes to dealing with different types of people because our needs will not be met otherwise. 

If an immigrant woman makes an appointment to meet with a doctor to discuss the issue of depression she will be need a different type of help compared to a member of the LGBTQ community.  Although, the issue of depression can be similarly caused in both for much the same reasons there are still many differences held by these two individuals.  They may both feel unwelcome in the eyes of the public because of this idea of normalcy.  However, even though both these individuals issues of depression can be caused for relatively shared experiences (i.e. feeling out of place) the plan of action to treat their depression will and should be very different.

It is important for society to realize that each and every one of its members will be different and may even belong to different groups within society.  All public services should be mindful of these differences.  As with every social issue however, it is up to the members of society to make the changes needed.  Like other types of prejudice, sexual prejudice is an attitude; it is directed at a social group and its members; and it involves hostility or dislike.  (Ahmed, & Hammarstedt, 2007) Let’s hope people continue to educate themselves and positively change their attitudes so that all members of society can feel welcome, safe in their environments and obtain the adequate individualized care they deserve.

Alexis B.

References 

Ahmed, A., & Hammarstedt, M. (2007). Detecting discrimination against homosexuals: evidence from a field experiment on the internet. Economica, 76(303), 588-597.   

Duncan, K., Halton, J., Hampson, E., Krieger, C., & MacDonnell, J. Ontario Public Health Association, (2000). Improving the access to and quality of public health services for lesbians and gay men (2000-01 (PP) / 2000-02 (RES)). Retrieved from http://www.opha.on.ca/our_voice/ppres/papers/exec2000-01_pp.pdf

Poverty and Mental Health

Unfortunately due to poverty people end up on the streets or striving to hang onto a beat down home. There are many reasons for people to become poor. For example in class we watched a film titled No Place Called Home, and in this film the family was born into poverty. The children were very well behaved and tried their best to help out; however they were also bullied at school because of the way they lived. This family went through many hardships and at one point had to live in a tent because they had gotten evicted from their home and couldn’t find another place to live. _{(National Film)} The parents had to do their best to support these children and it was very stressful on each of them, which affects both of their mental health. Having to live with the worry everyday of not being able to know what the next day will bring is very difficult to live with. _{(National Film)}

Mental issues not only arise in parents/adults but also in children. A longitudinal study proved that “The more frequently the child was exposed to poverty, the greater was the risk of that individual being anxious and depressed at both the 14- and 21- year follow-ups.”_{(American journal)}  In addition the study also shows that “repeated experiences of poverty over a child’s early life course are associated with increased levels of poor mental health”. _{(American journal)} Children don’t have the choice to be kids; they have limited options. The kids will not be able to participate in extra activities that interest them because extra activities cost money, which they do not have. _{(National Film)} Kids see their parent’s constant worry daily and that leads them to worry themselves. The kids may never grow up in a place they can call a ‘home’. Sadly they may be moved around quite frequently.

“Poverty experienced in early childhood has been found to affect cognitive and other health and developmental outcome.”_{(American journal)} “There may be critical periods during gestation, childhood, or adolescence when exposures to poverty may have major and irreversible consequences.”_{(American journal)}  It is a scary thought knowing that so many children that are being brought up in these environments will not only have a very difficult childhood, but it will also continue throughout their lives, possibly until they die. Social Welfare is a big help when it comes to individuals in poverty, however it is not family friendly so many families believe it is easier to try and earn a living without the help of Social Welfare.

Nobody chooses to live this life, and it is not fair for innocent children to have to be raised in such conditions and have mental issues due to the fact that their parents cannot provide for them. Social Welfare needs to find a way to help not only the individual, but the poor who are family orientated, in some ways families in poverty have a harder time due to the fact that they not only need to provide for themselves but others as well. The parents have to think not only about themselves but also about their children.

Resources:

 -Najman, J., Mohammed, R., Hayatbakhsh, Clavarino, A., Bor, W., O'Callaghan, M., Williams, G. (2010). American journal of public health. 100(9), Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy1.lib.umanitoba.ca/ehost/detail?vid=16&hid=12&sid=e149ba7c-fd37-4c23-aef1-9d7bd1f7dc55%40sessionmgr12&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=53739892

 - National Film Board of Canada (Producer). 

(   2004). No Place Called Home [DVD].

    Montreal: DVD-R

  - Brettany G.

Aboriginal Mental Health and Residential Schools

Residential schools are part of Canadian history and are now in our past. However, survivors and their family members are still being haunted by memories to this day. Aboriginal people of Canada face many issues connected to their past in regards to their mental health. Some examples of mental health issues that can affect Aboriginal people today are ones such as post traumatic stress disorder and depression. These mental health issues can also cause people to commit suicide or other harmful acts to themselves.

Society may not understand and can be confused as to why the affects to residential schools would effect Aboriginal youth today. According to Barlow(2009), “Studies suggest that the effects have transcended generations and have produced negative consequences by hindering the development of Aboriginal people in Canada and, in some instances, having a regressive effect on the conditions of various aspects of health.”(p.8)

Aboriginal mental health is one aspect that has been affected. Many school survivors must face symptoms of post traumatic stress and depression but so do their families. This is because when the survivor entered the school they lost their culture and in some cases their families. This loss has then been passed on to their families and is continued through future generations. 

This loss of culture is extremely upsetting not only for the people directly effected but also for Canada as a nation. The government chose to assimilate Aboriginal people then they came to their senses and put an end to it. However, they did not take in to consideration the trauma inflicted on the survivors.

Services need to be put into place for residential school survivors and their families so that they can deal with their trauma and move past it. They need support from not only their community but all of Canadian society. Thirty percent of First Nations people have felt sad, blue or depressed. (Health Canada, 2007) Families need to be worked with so that the depression does not turn in to harming themselves. Aboriginal people are overrepresented in suicidal rates.  The suicide rate for First Nation males is 126 per 100,000 compared to 24 per 100,000 for non-Aboriginal males. (Health Canada, 2007) This statistic is extremely high as well as extremely preventable.

Aboriginal mental health can be attributed to many factors one being residential schools. However, just as Canada introduced the schools and demolished them, Canada can introduce a system to help Aboriginal people overcome obstacles they face in regards to residential schools. The key to providing this system is public education. Survivors need strong vocal advocates who are committed to re-empowering Aboriginal people. (Reclaiming connections: understanding, 2005)

-Alexis B.

Barlow, K. (2009). Residential schools, prisons, and hiv/aids among aboriginal peoples of canada. Canada: Aboriginal Healing Foundation.

Reclaiming connections: understanding residential school trauma among aboriginal people. (2005). Canada: Aboriginal Healing Foundation.

Health Canada. (2007, July 19). Mental health and wellness. Retrieved from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/promotion/mental/index-eng.php

Feminism and Mental Disabilities

In the 1960’s women have fought for “equal opportunities and equal civil rights” _{(P. 162 Mullaly, 2007)} When it comes to caring for people who have mental disabilities, or any disabilities for that matter, women are the main providers. There are more women in the nursing field, granted there are also men in this particular field, however the majority are women. The reason women are the leading gender throughout this career falls back onto a stereotypical explanation. Many years ago women were the stay at home mothers that nurtured, cared for their children, for their husbands and took care of the house hold responsibilities. Women still fill the role of caring for others by becoming nurses.

         “Women have the greatest responsibility for the family, including child care and elder care”. _{(P. 161 Mullaly, 2007)} This statement suggests that women are supposed to take care of their family, even though women have tried to gain an equal status to men there are still many gender roles that continue to take place in society today. This statement also helps support my theory concerning the reality that there are more female nurses compared to male nurses due to the fact that being a nurse involves caring for people with mental disabilities and other diseases/illnesses.

            Females have more rights today then they had in the past. Many women continue to pursue careers that involve the stereotypes in which they have been trying to get away from. Women continue to willingly take care of others who are not healthy and who have mental health issues. “Males are more active and aggressive than females, and are focused on their jobs or on sports or activities. Women, though also shown in the workplace, are portrayed more than men in providing care to others”. _{(P. 171 Ward, 2006)}

            Roles that hold more power are usually held by males, such as doctors and counsellors; however most females choose to continue in career roles that they are expected to. Women are expected to care for others and they themselves make the career based decision to become nurses or other caregivers.

Resources:

Ward, M. (2006). The family dynamic: a Canadian

 perspective fourth kind. Canada: Nelson, a division

of Thomsson Canada limited.

Mullaly, B. (2007). The new structural social work.

Canada: oxford university press Canada.

-Brettany G.

Poverty in Manitoba

As I read more and more about the New Democratic Party, I am realizing that society is much better off with this type of government. The reason I believe society would improve is because the New Democratic Party’s goal is to leave no one behind ( NDP Our Vision for Canada).   

The NDP realize many of the issues that affect todays minorities and want a change. Many people with a mental illness end up in poverty. In fact, 52% of homeless people were diagnosed with a mental health problem ( Lighstone, 2010). I believe that they become homeless because they have difficulty finding a job due to their mental illness and being stigmatized. Many of the vulnerable groups, such as the First Nations need the assistance to attain a better a job ( Layton, 2010). The NDP of Manitoba recognizes that poverty is an issue and there is evidence that they have made improvements such as; increasing minimum wage to 50% more since 1999, mothers living in poverty has declined from 67% since 2000, which means that Manitoba now has the lowest poverty rate for single parents, Manitoba has the second lowest college tuition fees, and overall Manitoba now has the second lowest poverty rate in Canada( New Democratic Party of Manitoba, 2009).

 How does this affect people with mental illness? Often people living in poverty suffer from a mental illness and cannot afford proper education but with reduced tuition fees, more bursaries, more scholarships and 4000 more apprenticeships spots available ( New Democratic Party of Manitoba, 2009) it makes it much easier for the disadvantaged to receive education. 

The NDP have made much progress in addressing the needs of the disabled by issuing  “ Full Citizenship: A Manitoba Provincial strategy on Disability” in 2001. This has several factors in addressing the disabled but the main components are; The improvement of income programs, enhancing disability supports, improving employment opportunities, addressing issues concerning Aboriginal people with disabilities and increasing access to government policy development processes, facilities and programs ( The New Democratic Party of Manitoba, 2009). The fact that the NDP wants to improve the lives and provide services for the disabled is a very positive change, compared to the view of neo- conservatives who believe that people should provide for themselves ( Mullaly, 2007).

Overall, a social democratic government would most likely meet everyone’s needs by providing different types of resources. Social democracy believes in equality of condition, which is to narrow the gap between rich and poor, so that everyone can have a good life ( Mullaly, 2007). I believe that social democracy has the overall best intentions and would have the most positive effect on society. In my opinion, no one should have to live in poverty and should have the chance at being able to live a good life!

Melanie. F

Bullying needs to stop!

I was very impressed this morning as I was driving to school and heard Hot 103 taking a stand for the LGBTIQ youth and saying that the bullying needs to stop! The reason why I was impressed is because peoples attitudes have changed and in the past no one would have ever spoke up for the LGBTIQ. Homosexuality has been seen as a sin, a crime and even a mental illness over the past years ( Ward, 2006). It was in the late nineteenth century that it was classified as a mental illness. The APA classified it as a disorder until 1973 and the World Health Organization until 1991 ( O’ Neil, 2003). It wasn’t until the decriminalization that homosexuality was no longer classified as a mental disorder, and it was because of this change that gay and lesbian people would have the opportunity of having the support needed by the health and social services ( O’ Neil, 2003). Even though Canada has eliminated many legal barriers concerning the LGBTIQ, the LGBTIQ youth still face exclusion, fear and isolation ( Dysart- Gale, 2010).

The LGBTIQ youth are at a much higher risk for mental health disorders and suicide then heterosexuals youth, as they are more likely to be bullied ( Dysart- Gale, 2010). Last month several American teenagers committed suicide because of their sexual orientation. This bullying and suicide can be avoided if health care workers are given the best practices to support the youth ( Dysart- Gale, 2010). We need nurses and doctors to have a positive attitude and show support towards the LGBTIQ youth because many of them are scared of reaching out for help, in the fear that they will experience homophobia and misunderstanding ( Dysart- Gale, 2010). 

With the fear of coming out to friends and family, LGBTIQ youth also have to accept and come to terms with their own sexuality. The vicious circle that LGBTIQ youth encounter often leads to loneliness and isolation which may be the reason the suicide rates are two to 3 times higher than of heterosexual youth ( Grace & Wells, 2009). During this vicious cycle they may have a low self- esteem, suffer from depression, abuse alcohol and drugs, and suffer academically ( Grace & Wells, 2009). I believe that family members play a very important role in the child’s health and need’s to be accepting of their sexual orientation, otherwise they will feel unloved. In fact, 60% of the violence that LGBTIQ encounter is brought upon by family members ( Dysart- Gale, 2010). Obviously kids will feel even more left out and isolated if their family members cannot even accept their sexual orientation.  

Canada has made much progress in eliminating many social barriers that have affected the LGBTIQ and may hopefully influence many other countries to be more accepting of peoples sexual orientation. There are still nine countries in which homosexuality can result in a death penalty and it is still an offense in over forty countries, United States included (O’Neil, 2003). Although there has been changes in the law in Canada there has been a slow change in attitudes and acceptance among conservative social groups ( Dysart- Gale, 2010). I believe it is up to us to make life easier for the LGBTIQ by eliminating the bullying that they face everyday, because even though Canada has accepted homosexuality much more than many other countries, kids are still suffering physical and verbal abuse everyday. No one should suffer and be bullied because of their sexual orientation!

References:

O’Neil, B. (2003). Heterosexism: Shaping social policy in relation to gay men and lesbians. In A. Westhues (Ed.), Canadian social policy: Issues and perspectives (pp. 128- 138). Waterloo, On: Wilfrid Laurier University Press. Retrieved from 

Ward, M. (2006). The family beleaguered- when problems come. The family dynamic: a Canadian perspective (pp. 295). Nelson Education Ltd. 

Dysart- Gale, D. (2010). Social justice and social determinants of health: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, intersexed, and queer youth in Canada. Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 23 (1), 23-28. Retrieved from EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier database.

Dysart- Gale,D. (2010, October 12). Nurses critical in assuring health needs of LGBTIG youth. Retrieved from http://www.physorg.com/news/2010-10-nurses-critical-health-lgbtiq-youth.html

Grace, A., & Wells, K. (2009). Gay and bisexual male youth as educator activists and cultural workers: the queer critical praxis of three Canadian high-school students. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 13(1), 23-44. Retrieved from EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier database.

Melanie. F