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NNMH Bulletin
Jun
30
Written by:
admin
30/06/2009 1:45 PM
On Thursday, June 26, 2009, I was honored to have the pleasure and priviledge of being a guest at the launch of the Canadian Department of Defence's Forces wide campaign themed "Be the Difference".
The impressive launch was held at the Head Quarters of the Department of Defense in Ottawa, Ontario and the messaging was clearly aimed at all members of the Canadian Forces.
Aimed at all personnel, from Sergeants to Admirals, the campaign outlines how every person can make a difference in helping their colleagues meet and overcome any mental health challenges that they may encounter - in the course of their military career, and after.
Testimonials about the impact of peer support on the recovery process, the family support that is crucial throughout the process, and the need to seek out and utilize treatment were all key components of becoming were heard by all in attendance.
Clearly, the significance of the campaign to society is that it is a leading institution which is demonstrating leadership through both the promotion of mental health issues as an issue that affects us all, and how peer support plays a vital role in the recovery process.
Reported By:
Constance McKnight, Co-Chair, Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health
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2 comments so far...
Re: Department of Defence shows leadership on a very important issue...
How nice that they are starting to take mental health seriously. Now, if they would only provide the appropriate treatment for both soldiers and veterans, we would be much better off.
I use myself as an example. I was released from the CF after a back injury caused major, treatment-resistant depression. I went through at least 2 medications of each classification, without much relief.
The only treatment that has provided me with a decent quality of life, is one that Veterans Affairs, and the Canadian Forces, refuses to pay for. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a treatment that has been approved by Health Canada, and is available in a number of provinces. It has a similar recovery rate to ECT, without the inherent risks of ECT - loss of memory, etc. In spite of my history, in spite of several specialists reports, in spite of everything, the one treatment that offers me relief is one I have to find the money to afford - and it isn't cheap. Nor is it available in my community, which means I have to pay to travel, and stay, in another city, in order to get my treatment.
As I said, it would be really great if the powers-that-be would actually look at what the patient needs. The letter I received from Veterans Affairs, encouraging me to seek relief through accepted treatments, was a slap in the face. What do they think I did for the first TEN YEARS?
By Katherine Wilson on
19/09/2009 1:34 PM
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Re: Department of Defence shows leadership on a very important issue...
I can be contacted by email: saxify@gmail.com
By Katherine Wilson on
19/09/2009 1:35 PM
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