Get up to Standard with mental health in your workplace

from Regional News-Optimist May 4, 2023

Entertainers at Lady Minto brighten the day

Why we need universal mental health care

Mental health care needs to be available to everyone. That’s what we mean by universal. Universal mental health care is essential for our well-being. We all have mental health and to ensure we can live meaningful lives, manage life’s stressors, and foster healthy relationships, we need access to universal mental health care. Universal mental health care means the services you need are available to you, they are free and funded through our public health insurance plans, and they are the same – no matter where you live or who you are, they meet your needs. At the same time, universal mental health care recognizes that people from different communities have specific needs. It covers services that range from keeping people well, and out of crisis, to helping them on their path to recovery. And everything in between. It covers services provided by not-for-profit organizations in our communities as well as those delivered in hospitals and by doctors.

Mental health care needs to be available to everyone.

That’s what we mean by universal.

We all have mental health and to ensure we can live meaningful lives, manage life’s stressors, and foster healthy relationships, we need access to universal mental health care.

Universal mental health care means the services you need are available to you, they are free and funded through our public health insurance plans, and they are the same – no matter where you live or who you are, they meet your needs.

At the same time, universal mental health care recognizes that people from different communities have specific needs.

It covers services that range from keeping people well, and out of crisis, to helping them on their path to recovery. And everything in between. It covers services provided by not-for-profit organizations in our communities as well as those delivered in hospitals and by doctors.

Universal mental health care is essential for our well-being

Just like physical health, mental health is important to living a fully engaged life. Yet, getting services can be difficult and they are not available to everyone.

Many of the services and supports we need aren’t currently covered by public health insurance plans.

Many of us can’t afford to pay for services like counseling, psychotherapy, eating disorder treatments, substance use and addictions treatment. And only some people have access to these services through private health insurance plans.

Cost shouldn’t get in the way of care. Everyone should be able to get the supports they need. Whoever they are, wherever they live, whatever they need. Universal mental health care would not only reduce overall healthcare and other social costs, but it is essential for our well-being.

Everyone has mental health.

Mental health and mental illness are often used interchangeably, but it’s important to note that they are not the same. Mental health is always there and may be positive or negative. Mental illness and substance use disorders, however, affect a person’s ability to function over a long period of time.1 Remember, someone without a mental illness could experience poor mental health, just as a person living with a mental illness could experience excellent mental health.

Sharing a personal story of mental health can reinforce feelings of strength, resilience, and perseverance. Storytelling is also a powerful tool to reduce stigma and shame. You might consider sharing your story to inspire others in a similar situation to find a way through.

But sharing your story is an important personal decision and without proper care, it could negatively impact your wellbeing and the wellbeing of those reading or listening. Protecting your mental health is just as important as giving voice to your experience.

It’s also important to consider that some people might never feel safe enough or wish to share their stories publicly

– and we need to respect that. Racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, and personal and institutional biases are pervasive and can impact one’s ability to share safely.

If you decide to share your story, here are a few items to consider.

Find the right time for you

Take your time when deciding to share your story.

Only you can know when it’s the right time to share.

If you need support making that decision, consider consulting with a mental health professional or a trusted friend.

Make sure you feel safe

When you’re ready to share, make sure you feel safe and supported. This could include family members for support or even having your pet with you when you share your story. You can also choose to share some parts of your story and leave out other parts. Consider what details you are comfortable sharing and respect your boundaries. Think about where and how to share

Share your story safely

Sharing your story publicly can happen in various ways. You may feel more comfortable within the intimacy of a small group of friends, or within the anonymity of strangers in Sources: about privacy. Tell your story from your own perspective and lived experience and avoid disclosing identifying information about other people without their prior consent.

How to tell a story safely by Jack.org

How to tell your mental distress or illness story safely by the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand Toolkit: Sharing your personal journey for public speaking and/or advisory engagement by Support House person or online. You might prefer to share your story through social media, a video or blog post. Remember that it’s not the platform or audience size that matters, but that you get a feeling of strength and freedom from sharing.

Consider the listeners

Consider others in your story drawn to those details. As such, we recommend you leave out specific details about places or methods that pertain to suicide, selfharm or trauma. Further, if your story speaks of suicide, sexual assault, violence, or other traumatic events, consider sharing a trigger warning to help reduce potential harm. If you experience any distress, reach out to:

● Talk Suicide Canada (call 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645)

● Kids Help Phone (call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868)

It’s also important to consider that some people might never feel safe enough or wish to share their stories publicly – and we need to respect that. Racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, and personal and institutional biases are pervasive and can impact one’s ability to share safely.

Sharing your Story Safely by the Mental Health

While your story is yours to tell, it’s important to consider who else might be featured in your story as

Although stories can foster a connection between the narrator and the listeners, it’s crucial to consider the potential impact on the listeners. If you disclose details about past traumas, keep in mind how that might affect others. For instance, while suicide, self-harm, and trauma are part of many people’s mental health journeys, people who are currently thinking about ending their lives might be

If you decide to share your story, here are a few items to consider.

Find the right time for you

● Wellness Together (call 1-866-585-0445 or visit their website for resources)

● A CMHA near you

Take your time when deciding to share your story. Only you can know when it’s the right time to share. If you need support making that decision, consider consulting with a mental health professional or a trusted friend.

Make sure you feel safe

When you’re ready to share, make sure you feel safe and supported. This could include enlisting your friends or when you share your story. You can also choose to share some parts of your story and leave out other parts. Consider what details you are comfortable sharing and respect your boundaries.

Think about where and how to share

Sharing your story publicly can happen in various ways. You may feel more comfortable within the intimacy of a small group of friends, or within the anonymity of strangers in

Being kind to ourselves

W hile we can’t stop our minds from thinking – it’s simply impossible – we can change how we talk to ourselves. Take a moment and listen to your inner voice. What’s it telling you? Sometimes we don’t realize the amount of negative self-talk we engage in until we stop and listen. We could all benefit from growing our compassionate voice which might sound like how we speak to our loved ones.

Identifying and feeling our emotions

Having good mental health doesn’t mean feeling happy all the time. It means being able to identify and experience the wide range of emotions that all humans go through and managing them in a way that is respectful to you and others around you.

Wellness Team

BRT6HC

(306) 937-6700 brt6hc.ca

Battlefords

Mental Health Centre

306-446-6500

Open 8 am -12 noon 1-5 pm Monday to Friday

After hours and weekends

Battlefords Union Hospital

Emergency Department Or Health Line 811 and ask to speak with a mental health consultant

Counselling Services in the Battlefords

Battlefords Mental Health Centre