Understanding Substance Use
Health is a state of total well-being—physical, mental and social—helping us both survive and thrive in our everyday lives.
Stigma and Discrimination Around Mental Health and Substance Use Problems
About one in five people—over six and a half million Canadians—experience a mental disorder or substance use problem in their lifetime. Unfortunately, many people don't ask for help because they feel ashamed or scared. People may judge them and treat them negatively based on a mental health or substance use problem. Others have trouble finding a place to live, finding a job, maintaining relationships and other important parts of life.
Resources
Reprinted from the "Systemic Racism" issue of Visions Journal, 2021, 16 (3), p. 44
Black Health Alliance
A Person of Colour in Recovery
Personal perspectives on finding acceptance and support
Reprinted from the "Systemic Racism" issue of Visions Journal, 2021, 16 (3), pp. 22-25
I was born in 1957. A lot of times I say I’m Mulatto. My dad is Black and my Mom is white. I had loving parents. I live in Campbell River. But I grew up in Vancouver, on the East Side.
Racism, Police Violence and Mental Health
Reprinted from the "Systemic Racism" issue of Visions Journal, 2021, 16 (3), pp. 14-16
Confronting Anti-Black Racism in Mental Health Care in Canada
Reprinted from the "Systemic Racism" issue of Visions Journal, 2021, 16 (3), pp. 8-10
Rethinking Wellness
Beyond policing and criminalization
Reprinted from the "Systemic Racism" issue of Visions Journal, 2021, 16 (3), pp. 5-7
Addiction, Wellness and Language
Words are powerful: they can frame how we think and talk about the kinds of changes people may make related to substance use. Consider how often people use “relapse” as the use of any substances at all or “falling off the wagon” implied as failure. Gaëlle sheds a light on these and other common biases that shape how we support or hinder people’s personal agency.
The Branch
Piloting innovative, safe, supported, temporary bridge-to-housing in Kamloops
Stigma + Discrimination
Many people don’t ask for help for mental health or substance use problems because they feel ashamed or scared. People may judge them and treat them. Others have trouble finding a place to live, finding a job, maintaining relationships and other important parts of life. In fact, most people living with a mental illness say that stigma is worse than the symptoms they feel.
