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

Aboriginal and Mental Health

Living in a community where there are several reserves around, I see many people stereotype Aboriginal people for being lazy, dirty, and alcoholic. In high school my mom encountered a lot of stigma for being Metis. This was also experienced with the Metis in residential schools because they were not accepted in white schools and were not recognized as Indians by the Department of Indian Affairs ("Where are the," 2009) . Although I’m Metis, I haven’t had to experience negative comments, but I still hear people use the term “ half breed” and many other offensive words towards the Aboriginal people. I think people see Aboriginals this way because they don’t know the cultures background and the colonization that they had to live through.

The one thing that Aboriginals are known for are having many mental illnesses, such as depression and suffering from alcohol addictions. According to an Ontario survey Aboriginal women use a significant least amount of alcohol, but have a much higher rate of depression (18% vs 9%)  compared to the National Population Health Survey. The survey showed that 55% of First Nations women reported drinking in the last year compared to 74% of NPHS, although 43% of First Nations women reported having 5+ drinks on one occasion compared to 24% of the NPHS (MacMillan et al., 2008). Before we judge Aboriginals health we must consider all of the factors that have affected their lives such as poverty, colonization, and life as a minority in a dominant culture (Shepard, O'Neill, & Guenette, 2006).

Colonization is one of the factors that has had a severe affect on the Aboriginal communities. Aboriginals had a community where all members were equal, until the Europeans came in and tried to assimilate them into their own beliefs. They believed that if they could convert Aboriginal people into practicing Christianity, then they might integrate into a European civilized society ( Mawhiney & Hardy, 2009). With the assimilation of the First Nation people, came the lost of their culture, spirituality, values, traditions and families ( Mawhiney & Hardey, 2009).

Of course, this disruption is what caused many of the health issues within the Aboriginal peoples. Many live in poverty because they have not acquired adequate education. Therefore, in order to survive they depend on welfare. The lost of their children only made matters worst and since the white traders introduced them to alcohol they turned to this depressant to relieve their pain and grievance. In fact, this did not solve the problem ( Ward, 2006). 

I think we need to realize that many of the mental health problems that Aboriginals suffer was created by their colonization. They suffered from abuse and poverty which then lead them to alcoholism, depression, violence and suicide which keeps passing on from generation to the next. In order to stop this vicious cycle and demeaning stereotypes we need to educate ourselves and others about their history and implement new programs provided by our government.

References:

Where are the children? healing the legacy of the residential schools. (2009, June 26). Retrieved from http://www.wherearethechildren.ca/en/blackboard/page-11.html

MacMillan, H., Jamieson, E., Walsh, C., Wong, M., Faries, E., McCue, H., et al.(2008). First nations women’s mental health: results from an ontario survey. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 11(2), 109-115.

Shepard, B., O'Neill, L., & Guenette, F. (2006). Counselling with first nations women: considerations of oppression and renewal. International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling, 28(3), 227-240.

Mawhiney, A., Hardy, S. (2009). Aboriginal peoples in Canada. In J. C. Turner and F.J. Turner (Eds). Canadian social welfare (pp. 95-109). Toronto, ON: Pearson Canada  

Ward, M. (2006). Bringing up baby. The family dynamic: a Canadian perspective (pp. 159). Nelson Education Ltd


Melanie.F

Hoarders

I was watching the show Hoarders last night and I thought it would be an interesting topic for my blog post. I actually only watched about fifteen minutes of the show because I was really grossed out!  Today I was thinking about my reaction to the lady featured on the show last night and I was disappointed in myself. It took a short fifteen minutes for me to be so repulsed by this lady’s house and I hadn’t even heard why she started hoarding. I judged the book by its cover and never bothered to learn about her personal story. For everyone who is unaware of what hoarding is, it is the collecting of miscellaneous items that people believe have personal value and cannot part with. Hoarding is also believed to be related to obsessive compulsive disorder.

Liberalism is based on equal opportunity for all no matter their life situations. It also focuses on help for those who are underprivileged such as people with mental disabilities. Based on liberal views I decided to see what specific resources there are for hoarders in Winnipeg. I was completely disappointed with my findings or should I say finding. Now you have to remember I didn’t do an extensive amount of research but I searched stuff that I thought the average person would. I was googling phrases like “hoarders Winnipeg,” “help hoarding Winnipeg,” and “OCD Winnipeg.”  With each different phrase I typed, I did find a resource but it happened to always be the same one, which was OCD Centre Manitoba. It had a specific support group for hoarders and those affected by hoarding and also had counselling services. It was great to find this website but disappointing at the same time. If someone was to Google “depression Winnipeg,” they would find themselves with at least five different resources.

 What happened to equal opportunity for all especially those who are underprivileged?

Alexis B. 

Dementia and Alzheimer's

I have the great opportunity of working in a personal care home. I have met many lovely people there. They always put a smile on my face with their cheerful and welcoming personalities, even though some of them suffer from dementia. I never realized until this time on how serious this illness can affect their lives and how many people are affected with it.  Everyone who has a loved one that is or has been affected knows that it is a really stressful and emotional time. 

In many countries there is rapid growth in the aging population which means there is going to be an increase of number of older persons with mental disorders. Improvements of the quality and quantity of mental health resources will be necessary to provide adequate care for current and future needs. It is up to researchers, policy makers and the population to find better living conditions for older people with mental disabilities (De Mendonca, Leibing, & Buschfort, 2007). 

According to Mullaly (2007) Liberals believe that, “ society should use the welfare state to guarantee a minimum income to purchase the basic necessities of life and to ensure that everyone has access to basic (minimum) levels or standards of health care, housing and education”(p.103). I believe that Liberals are changing this view due to the fact that they hosted a forum on Parliament Hill. They hosted this forum because they realize the need to improve the quality of life for people suffering from Alzheimer’s and their families. They realize the burden it puts on the family and they are implementing strategies to help ease this burden (2010). Which makes me believe that they no longer want these people to live with the basic standards of health care. 

 “If being a liberal means a willingness to pay a few dollars more in taxes to help the mentally disabled, those without job skills and the medically uninsured, then I'm proud to be a liberal” says, John Terranova (“Accept the ‘liberal’,” 2002). I believe that this statement shows that liberals accept the fact that the mentally disabled, such as people suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s need help and they will do whatever they can to make life easier for them. 

In conclusion, there are many older people affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia which means that we need to realize the care and resources that these people will need. We also have to notice the effect it has on the family, financially and emotionally. I believe that liberals are taking a very positive approach not only to people suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia, but all the mentally disabled people by trying to improve their quality of life.

References:

De Mendonca, C., Leibing, A., & Bushfort, R. (2007). Mental health resources for older persons in the western pacific region of the world health organization. Psychogeriatrics, 7(2), 81-86

Mullaly, R.P. (2007). The new structural social work. Canada: Oxford University Press.

Health & Home Care. (2010). Liberals are working for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia The Federal Liberal Agency of Canada. Retrieved from http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/news-release/liberals-are-working-for-people-living-with-alzheimers-and-dementia/

N.A. Accept the 'liberal' definition with pride. (2002). USA Today, 14a. Retrieved from the Academic Search Premier Database


Melanie. F

The Neo-Conservatism Analysis

"Neo- Conservatism holds that people should provide themselves by exercising their individual freedoms and choices in the competitive marketplace; Even if people become ill and cannot look after themselves, the  judgement is often that they should have made arrangements to cover such contingencies". (Mullaly pg. 83)

The world around us is critically analyized be many different means of people. Ideologies have shaped different societies in the world. However, can these ideologies permit certain problems and implications?
As a Canadian government under a neoconservatism holt, do problems exist for a person who suffers with Mental Health Issues?

Fact:
           "Twenty years ago it was generally accepted that one in six Canadians would suffer from a significant mental illness in their lifetimes; 10 years ago it was one in five; today we're creeping up on one in four and wondering how long until it's one in three."

A neoconservatism world in Canada is causing implications for ones who suffer with Mental Health Illnesses.

On May 5, 2009 NDP critiques Nova Scotia Conservative Party's performance on Mental health issues.

The piece of literary work significantly points out some of the implications that the Canadian Conservative Government has lacked in order to full-fill the Nova Scotia-ins.                                      (Which was to provide mental health services to the public and school systems to help reduce mental illnesses).

" The Conservative government has had almost 10 years to fix the problems in mental health for children, teens and adults, and they have failed". - NDP critics

The following quote mentioned above explains the Neo-conservatisms view of social change, which states in "Mullaly" that it should be a gradual process rather than a revolutionary process. Perhaps a Conservatism government is causing these social difficulties in Nova Scotia's Mental Health Societies.

However, the Conservatism government states that many people did not reach for the necessary programs when giving the chance.

Referring to "Mullaly" once again:

"Individuals have responsibility to look after themselves" - Mullaly pg.79


Do Canadian's need to start reversing these thoughts by paying closer attention to the issues and impacts of a society? Is a Conservative government really that bad? Is Neo-conservatism to: what some would call old school?

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association:
                 "Canadians need to start trying to reverse these trends by paying closer attention to the issues and impacts."




However, what may we take from this piece of literary work?

Mullaly:

Neo-conservatism's human nature is isolated & selfish
Neo-conservatism's society is known for "no society, only individuals"
Neo-conservatism's social justice "individuals have responsibility to look after themselves"
Neo-conservatism's social change is gradual and not revolutionary


Statement:
                        "Individuals are either morally superior or inferior"-Mullaly


Kayla Leonardo.