Connections for Mental Health Week

It’s Mental Health Week (May 1-7), and the theme is #GetLoud. The Canadian Mental Health Association is urging Canadians to talk about the issues and do so with volume- speak up, speak out. They want to hear from people about mental health care and services, but also about living with dignity, fighting stigma, and ensuring that those struggling with mental illnesses have social supports, such as adequate housing, in place. Sound familiar?

Many people living with HIV and HCV are too accustomed with stigma, and the anxiety and depression that can go along with it. Living under the duress of worrying about losing one’s home, or community of family and friends is stressful, to say the least. Stress, anxiety and depression can mean a wide range of experiences for those affected.

PAN member organizations may be supporting people who are mildly anxious about HIV, deeply depressed, or struggling with more troubling diagnoses which can impact how they deal with HIV or HCV. People who have undiagnosed or unsupported mental health issues may use drugs to self-medicate. Using drugs can also worsen mental health challenges.

In a recent opinion piece for the Vancouver Sun, professors Kerry Jang and Michael Krausz note the relationship of substance use and mental health in connection to the overdose epidemic in BC. It’s been a year since the overdose epidemic was declared a public health emergency, yet overdose rates remain alarmingly high. Jang and Krausz look at the poor statistics for retaining people in drug treatment (two-thirds drop out) and say lack of mental health care is a problem. They write, “No proper counselling or mental health care is provided to help extremely vulnerable individuals, who are often traumatized, depressed and socially marginalized.” They go on to question the BC government’s decision in failing to implement their 2010 mental health plan.

PAN recognizes that mental health is a determining factor in optimizing overall health. We incorporate mental health and wellness into our training and provide resources for member organizations supporting people with mental health challenges. If your organization is looking for some information during Mental Health Week, please see the following resources:

Mental Health, Substance Use, HIV and HCV 

Mental Wellness and Substance Use, First Nations Health Authority 

Cultural Safety Training Raises the Bar for First Nations Health Authority Mental Health Providers

BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services 

Canadian Mental Health Association 

May 6 Event: Men’s Mental Health Summit 

May 11 Event: Stigma and Suicide among MSM living with HIV 

 

 


Questions? Feedback?
 Get in touch!
Janet Madsen, Capacity Building and Knowledge Translation Coordinator,
[email protected]