Volume 48, Issue 5 by The Medium

The Independent Student Newspaper of the University of Toronto Mississauga since 1974

Issue 5 Volume 48

October 4 2021

themedium.ca

The Mental Health Awareness Issue

To You Who Don’t Understand mental health, this is for you Naomi-Nicole Bramer on sharing her battle with depression and chronic illnesses, one letter at a time. Despite struggling with depression, Bramer graduated as an Ontario scholar from Queensway College—a private high school that encourages its students to seek undergraduate studies post-graduation. She chose the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) due to its prestigious reputation. In the fall of 2006, she started her undergraduate journey by studying theatre, drama, and English—though she didn’t stick to that plan for long. Bramer’s cousin, who also went to UTM, advised her to take Professor Guy Allen’s WRI203: Creative Writing course. “She knew that I liked writing and that I was already in the English program, the only program that I knew was close to writing,” chuckles Bramer.

Ricardo Jaroslav Valdes Features Editor

CW: Suxicide, mental illness, depression, anxiety To You Who Don’t Understand, I mean no offense. I meant that in the nicest way possible, which is why I write you this letter. To maybe help you understand, even if just a little bit better. But for all of us who do understand, who must live with the experience, I will try to explain it on our behalf. And so, You Who Do Not Understand, I write this letter to you.

“You just say ‘get out of bed,’ but you don’t understand that it feels like a thousand weights on me.”

aomi-Nicole Bramer wrote that letter out of frustration when she was a teenager. She wanted her friends, family, parents, brother, sister, and boyfriend at the time to understand what it’s like to live with depression. They always told her that she didn’t have a reason to be depressed and anxious; that she hadn’t experienced any childhood trauma; that she grew up in a happy and loving home. The letter is part of her book titled To You Who Don’t Understand, a collection of short stories, poems, and letters. Bramer admits that she never had any intention of sharing it with anyone. “If you asked me 15 years ago, there’s no way I’m writing a book on mental health,” she says. “I hated the stigma of being labelled as depressed, so I hid it for most of my life.”

“I hated the stigma of being labelled as depressed, so I hid it for most of my life.” Bramer grew up in a very Christian home. According to her, depression and anxiety aren’t looked well upon. “I don’t think my parents understood [my illnesses]. It was hard to tell them I needed help,” she states. Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses worldwide. It negatively affects how a person feels, thinks, and acts. According to the American Psychiatric Association, depression leads to symptoms that vary from mild to severe. These include feeling sad, losing interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, loss of appetite, difficulty in concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide. Factors that play into depression include genetics, biochemistry, personality, and environmental surroundings. Individuals suffering from depression may have chemical imbalances in the brain, be overwhelmed by stress, or be exposed to continuous violence, neglect, abuse, or poverty. However, the illness can affect ev-

eryone—even if the individual lives a seemingly ideal life. When Bramer was in high school, she was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Her doctors at the time predicted she had been struggling with the illness since the age of 13. “There

were some days where it was hard to get out of bed and [my family] told me to just ‘Get out of bed. Stop being lazy. Force yourself to do something,’” recalls Bramer. “You just say ‘get out of bed,’ but you don’t understand that it feels like a thousand weights on me.”

She achieved one of her highest marks in that course. So much so, Professor Allen asked her if she would like to join the professional writing and communication (PWC) major. Things were going great for her. She had found her place within the UTM community and gained the respect of her professors. But then, her physical health struggles took a massive toll on her mental health—one that would force her to take a seven-year break. Bramer started experiencing stomach problems, sleep problems, fatigue, and emotional and mental distress. After multiple tests, she was diagnosed with gastroparesis and fibromyalgia. Gastroparesis prevents the stomach from digesting food properly. Individuals who suffer from it experience weight loss, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain and bloating. Fibromyalgia, on the other hand, is a form of chronic illness that causes pain all over the body. Bramer later found out she also had lupus, an autoimmune disease that attacks the body’s tissues and organs. “It’s been a long road. The thing with autoimmune diseases is that they’re very hard to diagnose,” she explains. “I had two misdiagnoses where doctors told me it was something and then more symptoms presented themselves.” Bramer’s snowball effect of problems isn’t rare. In February 2021, the Canadian Institute for Health Information released their annual survey titled How Canada Compares. In it, they found that 63 per cent of Canadians with a mental health condition also reported having another chronic condition. Mental health illnesses like depression and anxiety are often symptoms of chronic illnesses. >> Bramer continues on page 09

NEWS

Editor | May Alsaigh news@themedium.ca

Panic arises as Trudeau considers banning international student flights arriving in Ontario Canadian government bans flights from countries including Morocco and India preventing international students from in-person classes. Shreya Joshi Contributor

ver the past year, there has been increased tension between the government and universities regarding regulations for international student flights. Many flights have been deferred while others are banned, leaving students perplexed and stranded. In April, a physician working at an Ontario post-secondary institution informed the Toronto Star that two international students from India tested positive with Covid-19 variants. Soon afterward, the university nurse tested twelve international students, several of whom were determined positive for the virus. In response to these issues, Prime Minister Trudeau has been considering suspending international students from entering the province until the spike in cases decreases. So far, according to Premier Doug Ford, no formal request has been made on this matter, however the provincial government is looking forward to assisting Trudeau in preventing the spread of the virus. In September, the Canadian government banned flights coming from hotspots including India and Morocco. While the ban on flights from Morocco ended on September

29, Moroccans still face restrictions to enter Canada. Though over 80 per cent of the eligible Canadian population is fully vaccinated, concerns are still raised as the Delta variant has been causing outbreaks over the last few months. In May, India had a surge in Covid-19 cases, which affected approximately 1.4 billion people or 18 per cent of the world’s population. Similarly, in the month of July, a reported 39 per cent of the population was infected with the coronavirus in the Guelmim-Oued Noun region of Morocco. Despite this potential ban, international students continue to pay higher tuition costs even if they are learning remotely. Since travel has increased complications, internationals face issues migrating to Canada and visiting home. Additionally, due to difficulties receiving a work permit, inter-

national students struggle to balance the costs of their studies and their living expenses. Trishla Kothari, a first-year management student, shares how the possible restrictions affect her as an international student. Kothari recoils at the idea saying, “The point of university is to learn to be a global citizen and interact with a diverse group of people.” Kothari also believes that “most of the universities’ revenue comes from international students. If the government did this, universities would lose out on revenue and likely shut down. There would be a reverse ban on Canadian international students as well.” At the recent Higher Education World Academic Summit, U of T President Meric Gertler was questioned about how major post-secondary institutions can address in-

equalities and prevent them from causing further social divisions. “Higher education is a vitally important driver of social mobility and prosperity. […] The more that universities do to improve social inclusion and quality of life, the more they’re actually doing to enhance their own success in attracting and retaining the talent that drives that global impact, standing, and acclaim.” Aside from higher tuition costs, President Gertler and Kothari’s statements are mirrored by the fact that universities rely on international students to advance their position in the world of global research. Additionally, universities aim to ensure that there is a diverse learning atmosphere so that students are well-rounded and cultured. The latest international travel bans have created confusion for international students who are already faced with financial and social challenges associated with studying in Canada at U of T. These concerns are causing many to ask whether the cost of tuition at U of T is justified amid the travel bans that would prohibit international students from taking full advantage of studying abroad. International students concerned about the status of their flights or any other concerns due to the Covid-19 restrictions should reach out the International Education centre.

Mental Health Week in review The Health and Counseling Centre provides students with various resources and programs to overcome academic and personal challenges. Razia Saleh Associate News Editor

or this year’s mental health week, the University of Toronto is advocating for multiple mental health resources being made available for students and faculty. The Health and Counseling Centre (HCC) at UTM is hosting several events throughout the year to encourage students to access these mental health services on and off-campus. Hosted by the HCC, the Be Well UTM Fair took place from September 20 to September 24. Ravinder Gabble, the health education coordinator at the Health and Counseling Centre, discusses the fair’s success and other resources that benefit current and future students. “The event had over 480 registrations from UTM students, staff, and faculty members,” Gabble says. “Each year, the Be Well UTM Fair aims to provide UTM students and community members with a diverse range of programming to learn tips, skills, and resources for prioritizing their personal health and wellbeing.” >> HCC continues on page 03

HCC WELLNESS/FACEBOOK

03 >> HCC continued from page 02 Gabble provides feedback from an anonymous participant who attended the fair. “My favourite part of the Be Well UTM Fair was listening and interacting with Christopher Siu. The insight and advice he provided really resonated with me and encouraged me to continue to pursue my goals and aspirations no matter how difficult it gets. I really liked how he advised to take a step back when things got overwhelming and that all the emotions you go through are part of the process.” The Peer Support Program, also a part of the Wellness at UTM initiative, provides students an opportunity to strengthen their personal and academic goals in a peerto-peer experience. The program highlights healthy lifestyle tips, academic skills, and community resources for students to access. Further workshops include Discovering Your Wellness, Creating a Wellness Log, Self-Management, and Building Your Mental Health Roadmap. Students can also participate in the HCC’s Wellness at Home Program which “features daily wellness workshops, activities, and resources from Mondays through Fridays.” Specifically, the Together Tuesday series consists of weekly wellness-inspired activities and conversations, offering a safe virtual space for students to connect and share strategies and resources. Another way the HCC is supporting students is by providing them with a Stepped Care approach to mental health care. The center plans to provide a studentcentric personalized approach which will enable students to personalize their wellness plans with guidance

as needed from HCC staff. Ravinder also mentions that “students who come to the HCC are able to choose from a variety of care options, spanning from selfdirected or peer-to-peer health education opportunities to more tailored, one-on-one appointments with health care professionals.” The HCC focuses on ways to support students but also ways to help students develop the necessary skills to cope with issues in their own ways Gabble states, “The Health & Counselling Centre utilizes a stepped-care approach to short-term, solution-focused counseling, physician medical appointments, nutritional counseling, and nursing care.” The HCC enables students to develop personalized wellness plans that cater towards their exact needs with optimal guidance from the staff. “We all have a role in supporting student mental health at the University of Toronto Mississauga. Students and faculty can bring more mental health awareness by continuing to have open, judgment-free conversations about mental health in our community and promoting help-seeking as a positive strategy for personal, academic, and career success.” Gabble is optimistic about the future of UTM. “Our vision for UTM’s wellness programs and initiatives is to cultivate a healthy and supportive campus environment where all students are able to thrive to their fullest. We remain committed to this vision and will strive to continue to bring students innovative events, initiatives, and resources that promote wellness, resiliency, and community.”

Striving for academic excellence and student change The UTMSU will be organizing numerous events in the upcoming weeks focusing on important student initiatives such as their Education For All campaign. Larry Lau News Associate Editor

hile students prepare for upcoming midterms, members of the UTMSU have also been hard at work, organizing a variety of activities and ambitious campaigns to improve the student life experience. In UTMSU’s MEGA Commission meeting, student union members detail their upcoming campaigns and events, particularly the Education For All campaign. “Education For All essentially focuses on advocating for accessible and free education for every single student, making sure that education is a right and not a privilege,” states Maëlis Barre, Vice-President External of UTMSU. In detail, the campaign calls for the reduction of tuition fees for all students, especially international students, and an increase in the diversity of scholarships. It is stated that scholarships should encourage achievements beyond academic nature. For the entirety of October, UTMSU will be setting up a table

UTMSU/INSTAGRAM

on campus, tentatively at either the William G. Davis Building or at the Student Centre. Participants will be given forms similar to invoices, in which they can fill in their names and tuition fees paid for the academic year. The UTMSU plans on forwarding these invoices to the university, which stipulate the financial hardships of students caused by tuition fees. The UTMSU will also prepare collaboration boards around campus where participants can use art to convey difficulties they face. Through these initiatives, the student union hopes to drive change. Additionally, there will be events unrelated to the UTMSU campaigns held in the upcoming weeks. The Queer Orientation will be holding its final event on October 4 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a townhall meeting where 2SLGBTQ+ students are invited to discuss their concerns and experiences while having the opportunity to connect with others and make friends. On October 5 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., the UTMSU will be holding the first housing committee meeting for the university. Students will be able to discuss the adversities faced when seeking housing and participate in the UTMSU’s call for Mississauga to offer affordable student housing. The second International Students Roundtable meeting will be held on October 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participating students may discuss the difficulties faced as an international student, potentially seeking ways to rectify problems and explore methods to drive change in the current outlook. Looking into the future, UTMSU will be organizing the Hallo-week event from October 27 to October 29. Details of the event have yet to be confirmed, but students may look forward to a fun and frightful Halloween. A second commissions meeting will be held on October 27 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Students can join to voice their opinions and concerns, all the while discovering ways to get further involved. Students interested in helping organize and realize the planned activities may scroll through the UTMSU website or social media for more information.

May Alsaigh News Editor

Authorities searching for woman who allegedly stole U of T truck Toronto police are searching for a woman who has been caught stealing a white 2014 Nissan Frontier extended cab pickup truck. The burglary took place on the St. George Campus around 4 a.m. on a Saturday, September 18. Footage reveals that the suspect, who authorities describe in her twenties, rode a bicycle into the parking lot then broke into an office. There is no information at this time regarding where the woman was heading and whether she will return the vehicle.

Ontario changes school curriculum to include Indigenous history and teachings The Ontario government announces curriculum changes for Grades 1 to 3 by September 2023. The revised curriculum will include First Nations, Metis, and Inuit education while also outlining the history of Canada’s residential school system. The Ontario government is also providing $23 million for Indigenous education in effort to recognize Indigenous content and voices. The curriculum will look at the role of family and resilience in Indigenous communities, historical and contemporary realities, the interrelationship with land, and reclamation of identity and culture.

Indigenous student removed from class after refusing to rise for national anthem At River East Collegiate, a high school in Winnipeg, 15-yearold Skyla Hart remained in her seat during the national anthem in protest of Canada’s history with colonization and the ongoing injustices perpetuated upon the Indigenous community. The student refused to stand for the anthem on numerous occasions, regardless of the disapproval from her teachers. When Hart was instructed to stand in the hallway, she refused and sat instead. Hart’s mother states that the situation is an extension of oppression from residential schools. Hart states that schools should end mandatory standing to the national anthem and encourages students to be unafraid to sit down.

Yemen humanitarian crisis worsening with increased starvation rates With over 16 million individuals in Yemen heading toward starvation, the nation’s crisis is reaching a new level of collapse and poverty. The World Food Programme is quickly running out of funds and will not be able to support Yemen’s famine catastrophe. Sweden and Switzerland appealed for nearly $4 billion to Yemen in a virtual pledging conference they hosted earlier this year. However, the amount required is yet to be reached. This month, UN General Assembly announced that they raised $600 million and US Secretary nearly $290 million. Currently, one thousand individuals are dying every week due to lack of nutrition.

Sexual violence reporting protocols set for academic institutions within Ontario Provincial officials within the Ontario government seek to amend the guidelines in which schools approach reports and investigations of sexual violence by March 22, 2022. Following these revisions, students will not be subject to questions regarding their sexual history, expression, or use of substances. These amendments strive to protect students from irrelevant inquiry on behalf of the institution, and ensure they are free from disciplinary action. In light of the sexual violence allegations at Western University, which resulted in a reported 30 sexual assaults, the university has failed to adequately respond to the allegations made, and has only stated that the situation is being investigated.

SAMIRA KARIMOVA/THE MEDIUM

Looking back at the impacts of virtual and in-person learning after Covid-19 Educators address the negative effects of virtual learning on students while research reveals the beneficial outcomes. May Alsaigh News Editor

fter more than a year of virtual learning, many Canadian educational facilities have reintroduced in-person learning for students nationwide. Universities including U of T have done so by establishing a set of Covid-19 safety precautions to ensure a smooth transition. Today, in-person learning, and virtual education continues to raise uncertainty for both faculty and staff. A 2021 study from Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts finds that students and educators have experienced significantly more stress due to the rapid shift to remote learning. The findings reveal that of a sample of 487 undergraduate students, 85.8 per cent reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety.

“I think the return to campus for students will improve students’ mental health because they will have a greater sense of community.” Another study reveals that after two weeks of the first international lockdown, 75 per cent of students faced greater challenges from the pandemic restrictions. In addition, 50 per cent felt that academic outcomes would be more difficult to achieve as online learning presented more troubles than expected. Balpreet Dhatt, a fourth-year student

completing a political science specialist at UTM shares her experience by stating, “the beginning [of] my fourth year of my undergraduate is going to be challenging enough, and even though I am excited to see my class and teammates again, I feel like socializing regularly will take a lot more energy now than it did in 2019, or any other time before the pandemic.” After spending time on online learning platforms and communicating virtually to peers and professors, many students are unsure of what to expect when returning to campus. For some, it is challenging to rebuild social skills while adjusting back to a fast-paced academic environment. Many are concerned about the social pressures of interacting with one another, while others are thrilled to return after an entire year of remote learning. Mental Health Team Lead at UTM’s Health and Counselling Centre, Tyla Roach, ensures that a gradual return to campus will have a beneficial impact on the mental health of students. Roach states in an interview with The Medium, “I think the return to campus for students will improve students’ mental health because they will have a greater sense of community. It’s hard to make friends online so being on campus will help them connect, de-stress, and help each other study. At the same time, I do think in-person tests will be a little bit more stressful as they haven’t done so in so long.” More than 97 per cent of educators indicate the various setbacks of children completing an online education. Educators have recognized greater learning loss in these students compared to those who did not

experience online education. Like many other students, Dhatt expresses concerns regarding the ongoing pandemic. She explains, “I am glad we are slowly going back to a normal school life, but I am anxious because Covid-19 cases are starting to increase again. I’m used to online schooling and lectures being recorded so in-person lectures feels like a completely new experience now.”

“Some students in an online learning environment retain 25 to 60 per cent more information in comparison to those in face-to-face training who retain only 8 to 10 per cent.” However, while some students find it challenging to sustain an online education, others find it more convenient and beneficial. Research suggests that some students in an online learning environment retain 25 to 60 per cent more information in comparison to those in face-to-face training who retain only 8 to 10 per cent. The Research Institute of America explains these findings by stating that “eLearning students have more control over the learning process as well as the opportunity to revisit the training as needed.” A full return to in-person learning will be a unique adjustment to all students. Through various activities and events coming up in the year, students will have more opportunities to interact with new peers and professors on campus.

MASTHEAD EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Provost editor@themedium.ca Managing Editor Elisa Nguyen managing@themedium.ca News May Alsaigh news@themedium.ca Opinion Aroni Sarkar opinion@themedium.ca Features Ricardo Jaroslav Valdes features@themedium.ca A&E Danica Teng arts@themedium.ca Sports Duaa Nasir sports@themedium.ca Photo Hayden Mak photos@themedium.ca Design Manjot Pabla design@themedium.ca Copy Juliana Stacey juliana@themedium.ca Miguel DaSilva miguel@themedium.ca Social Belicia Chevolleau social@themedium.ca Videographer Nikolas Towsey video@themedium.ca

ASSOCIATES & APPOINTED ROLES Larry Lau, News Razia Saleh, News Kareena Kailass, Opinion Dalainey Gervais, Features Prisha Nuckchady, Features Dellannia Segreti, Sports Gladys Lou, Photo Simrah Siddiqui, Photo Isik Vera Senel, UTMSU Correspondent Julia Skoczypiec, Theatre Erindale Correspondent Robert Bui, Campus Athletics Correspondent Erin Dalaney, Satirist

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OPINION

Editor | Aroni Sarkar opinion@themedium.ca

Filling the void through academic validation Students experience burn-out from over-working themselves for the sake of success. Aia Jaber Contributor

cademic stress, academic validation, and academic burnout—three terms that most of us know far too well. The absolute desire to succeed in school—which leads to feeling like we’re disappointments with no real trajectory—is a paralyzing thought. There seems to be a misconception that in order to be the best of the best, you need to struggle as much as possible. Otherwise, you have no value, or you don’t deserve whatever success you do manage to receive. Why do people do this? Why do people overwork themselves in order to feel like they’re a good student or a good worker or a good friend even? If we’re not in agony and swamped with work or responsibilities, why do we feel like we’re not doing enough? Comparison.

“If we’re not in agony and swamped with work or responsibilities, why do we feel like we’re not doing enough?” It all started in middle school, when friends would ask each other what they got on that math test or that English essay. Comparison bruises your ego. It places you in a contest and a race to get the highest grade in the class, or to have the most credentials by the time you graduate. While some don’t view their friends as competition, there are those who constantly take an extra course load, join as many clubs and societies as possible, and seek a multitude of work-study opportunities in the hopes that it’ll make them feel like they’re worth something. We often look at the student in six clubs, three internships, and four upcoming public speaking events and think, “they’re so intelligent and capable.” We make similar remarks while speaking of that one co-worker who stays over-

time every night. We, as human beings, have a tendency to equate struggle to success, and success to value. Truly, as time passes, it becomes apparent that those who attempt to over-compensate in academics are genuinely trying to find a means to fill whatever void exists within themselves. While this may not be the case for everyone, and perhaps is a little bit of an exaggeration, for many, striving for success with this unhealthy mindset can be detrimental to their mental well-being and contribute to more frequent instances of burnout. I say this because I do this, and I know countless others who do the same. Here I am, at 9:12 p.m. on a Wednesday night, still at my university campus, slaving away at the computer screen in hopes that all this fatigue, exhaustion, and over-working will not only secure a stable future, but also aid me in my attempts at feeling happy. I do all this because society and the students around me have led me to believe that a struggling student is a successful one.

“Society and the students around me have led me to believe that a struggling student is a successful one.” There are individuals who sacrifice all aspects of their social and home life to excel at school. They make no time to see friends or family, and give little effort to the activities that once filled them with joy. So, while people exhaust themselves beyond comprehension, it’s so unequivocally true that quality beats quantity in the eyes of employers and graduate schools. An individual might have the longest resume ever seen, but unless they’ve gained real skills that can be carried to every sphere of life, what good will it do when they finally meet the real world and have no idea how to navigate it? What fun will there be when they want to celebrate but there’s no one to celebrate their successes with? Moderation, in all the beautifully complex and exhausting parts of life, remains to be the key to genuine success.

Editorial 06

U of T’s disappointing diploma The University of Toronto’s convocation packages paled in comparison to Canadian universities that decided to give more to their graduates. The Medium

raduation is a special day for students. While many students expected to attend a convocation ceremony, all dressed in a graduation gown and cap, the sudden spread of Covid-19 took that in-person celebration away from the classes of 2020 and 2021. While watching a credit roll of graduate names on YouTube sounds anticlimactic compared to the festivities that would have taken place at the University of Toronto’s St. George campus, the most disheartening thing may be the diplomas that came in the mail. Only the diplomas. Compared to other Canadian universi-

ties, the University of Toronto’s convocation packages were disappointing, to say the least. Ryerson University’s website notes, “[their] convocation celebration box will include a blue [graduate cap] and special 2021 tassel, an alumni welcome package and fun surprises.” York University’s vibrant red box was complete with a “congratulations” message, an alumni pin, a graduate cap, and more. Western University promises the graduate’s diploma, “along with a special package of gifts to welcome them to the Western Alumni family.” However, the award for most effort would likely go to Guelph University for their Grad Tour, where UofG representatives traveled to six cities and gave their graduates an opportunity to take professional pictures with graduation attire and props.

With a plain white package containing your diploma and two booklets of graduate names, it feels like UofT does not care. Considering they charge fees wherever they can and likely saved on costs with the cancellation of in-person convocation, graduates don’t feel valued or celebrated. The gifts do not need to be extravagant, but

a little effort would be appreciated. In the end, it is about how much the university is willing to do for the students. For a university ranked first in Canada, and placed in the top 15 globally for public universities this past June, UofT did not give its graduates the special goodbye and celebration they deserve.

Coming out of lockdown didn’t feel as liberating as I thought it would The risks of returning to normalcy overpowers the joy of integrating back into society. Sabrina Ahmadi Contributor

ver the past year and a half, we have seen and experienced the dire effects of isolation and lockdown on mental health through social media, the news, and stories from those closest to us. However, few have talked about what coming out of lockdown would be like, even though most of us have been waiting for it. A lot of us expected to feel joy and excitement at the possibility of returning to our familiar routines and doing the things we loved to do before. The return to “normal” is scary and confusing for those of us who struggled during our time at home, and for those of us who felt a sense of safety and security behind closed doors. This long period of seclusion has given us a newfound comfort in being alone, not socializing with people, and having a sense of dissociation from our social world. The constant alerts of Covid-19 fatality rates increasing, prolonged mandates on our phones, and the news was exhausting and saddening. So, some of us chose to detox, removing ourselves from the digital social world. But this also contributed to deepened feelings of isolation and increased mental health issues like anxiety and depression. According to the Government of Canada, “Almost 2 out of 5 Canadians reported some level of distress in [September to December 2020]. With social distancing and repeated lockdown measures, feelings of isolation and loneliness can increase levels of anxiety and depression.’’ We need better mental health awareness and services that are more accessible during and post Covid-19. After being separated from society, it can be scary to integrate back, especially with bigager events occurring and less masks being worn. The worry of catching Covid-19 is still relevant. The CDC reported that the variant “can be passed on even by vaccinated people, and may cause more serious disease than earlier coro-

navirus strains.” This fact has become a strong base for debate in the anti-vaxx world, especially on Twitter and Facebook. Opposers of the vaccine question the point of the vaccine if people can still get infected. Facebook has been criticised for not regulating the spread of false information regarding Covid-19. Unvaccinated people are allowing Covid-19 to continue to mutate and create dangerous strains that aren’t protected by the vaccines. Although things are opening back up, the spread of misinformation, and the risk of still contracting the virus despite being protected, is cause for anxiety and fear among many. The complex interplay of being exhausted, comforted, energized, and anxious, among other emotions, makes it difficult to gauge how we’re feeling now that we aren’t forced to be inside anymore. I understand the anticipation of wanting to go see a movie in theatres or eating out at a restaurant. Finally being able to go to campus and meet new people can be thrilling for first-years and upper-years alike. We’ve been yearning to feel a sense of community once again, especially for those who want a more regular school experience or thrive in social settings. Going into lockdown exposed the difficulties of staying isolated, while coming out of lockdown highlighted the challenges of integrating back into ‘normal’ society. Although mental health awareness has been prolific over the last few years, accessibility to mental health resources and education is still unattainable for many. With Covid-19 restrictions, access to in-person mental health resources is limited. This means that people need to have technology like smart phones or computers to reach necessary services. The pandemic has showcased the desperate need for accessible mental health services. Returning to normal can be just as paralyzing and troubling as stepping away from normalcy was.

Social media wellness culture is a good thing. Mostly. The recent proliferation of mental health bloggers is providing us with much more benefits than we seem to think. Kareena Kailass Associate Opinion Editor

ith the pandemic underway, more people are turning to social media to keep up with friends and family, and to stay in tune with the world. Popular social media outlets like Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok are seeing a huge influx of social media wellness bloggers that release posts surrounding topics of mental, spiritual, and physical health, spreading positivity and awareness, educating the public, and further providing support for users that feel a deeper connection to the content. The benefit of this new wave of mental

health awareness is clear cut—support is imperative for wellness. These posts create a sense of community by allowing people to recognise symptoms and offer tips quickly and simply. This helps people seeing these posts realize that others go through the same struggles. This feeling of representation and understanding is one of the greatest benefits that this new culture has to offer. It gives individuals the opportunity to speak to others and learn from each other. A bonus—remaining behind a screen makes it much easier for those struggling with anxiety or fear of speaking out to reach out and support one another. Social media posts also offer convenience—these pages are easy to access and provide individuals with

the knowledge and tools they need to start the process of researching and taking care of themselves.

“It much easier for those struggling with anxiety or fear of speaking out to reach out and support one another.” Lastly, and the most overlooked, is the benefit of encouragement. Not only do these posts provide great encouragement for those struggling to take care of themselves, but success stories and positive journeys often offer individuals inspiration and attainable goals that they can strive for. Body positivity is one example. People of all shapes and sizes are celebrated, supported, and encouraged—creating a positive and safe community to begin the process of feeling comfortable in one’s own skin. It’s definitely not a cure, nor is it perfect, but it is a starting point. However, there are some seriously negative effects of the social media wellness culture. Just as individuals can internalize positive posts, they can equally—and more easily– internalize the negative, damaging comments and ideals set forth as well. Although body positivity can begin with social media, body image issues can stem from these social

media blogs and posts too. Before we know it, we start holding ourselves to these hyperpositive and unrealistic standards. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues can also begin in ways that we often fail to consider. Sometimes, seeing an excessive amount of toxic positivity posts that fail to acknowledge the valleys of life can put users in a place that makes them feel discouraged and inadequate. Additionally, positive posts can make social media users feel like they are stuck in a low point in life, in comparison to those around them. Despite the highs and the lows of social media wellness culture, I believe that if it is in the right hands, it can be a beautiful and beneficial experience. Aside from the thin line that divides the benefits from the detrimental effects, the most important and crucial takeaway from these pages is awareness. Raising awareness, fostering a sense of community, and allowing others to learn about topics pertaining to health and wellness is a huge step in a new direction—the right direction. One of the most important things about social media wellness culture is being aware of yourself. Everyone is different and faces distinct struggles in life, meaning you are the only judge of whether a social media wellness blogger is posting things that are beneficial to you. Whether you feel comfortable or safe in the online environment is totally up to you.

Morning people have lower depression levels Studies have shown that early birds are less likely to experience mental health issues as they can operate the typical work timeframe better than night owls. Hadeel Rashed Contributor

very morning, do you wake up energized and eager to take on the day? Or do you feel unmotivated and keep snoozing your alarm, dragging your body out of bed? If you’re an early bird, this is because your circadian rhythm, also known as your sleep cycle, is synchronised with the capitalist nine to five job framework, or the traditional school timeframe. It may be obvious that the work environment caters to those who prefer to start their day early. Studies have shown that early birds may be at a lower risk of depression. Now, you might assume that early birds do better because they have superior lifestyle habits, like eating a balanced diet or exercising more frequently. These habits have a negative correlation with depression rates due to their benefits to the immune system. A new study by JAMA Psychiatry provided credible evidence that going to bed early and waking up early may in fact lessen the risk of depression, regardless of those other factors. Do you remember the last time you stayed up late at night? Maybe you stayed up binge watching your favourite

TV show or studying for your midterm the next morning. How did you feel the next day? Pretty sluggish and tired. What about the effects it had on your appearance? Lack of sleep can cause eye bags or dark circles. Do you remember a time where you pulled an all-nighter, and even though you didn’t socialize with anyone, you still received a poor grade? Sleeping late disrupts the body’s natural circadian rhythm, and this misalignment with your body clock leads to lower well-being and poor performance overall. Being an early riser also means you have better time management skills and are less stressed while getting tasks completed because you are more productive and alert. However, being more productive isn’t the only advantage of waking up early; you’ll also be happier. Morning folks, according to University of Toronto research, reported higher levels of happiness. This keeps night owls at a disadvantage, as they’re more likely to face challenges in adapting and changing their sleeping habits, especially when they enter the workforce. To avoid staying up late, create a structured daily routine and stick to it. Write down your goals every morning, start sleeping early, and prioritize your tasks. For night owls, this may be a dreadful thing, and it is a lot easier said than done. However, considering the

work and school structure we are all forced into, we have no choice but to find ways to survive. A few tips to sleep better are to avoid napping throughout the day, not consume caffeine late in the day, and not use any electronics for at least two hours before going to bed. But what if I’m more productive at night? Unfortunately, it’s not about whether someone is productive during the day or night; it’s about whether someone is productive in the work structure today. Regardless of whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, getting enough quality sleep is essential.

features

Editor | Ricardo Jaroslav Valdes features@themedium.ca

The sociology of mental illness: How our environment affects our mental health Childhood neighbourhoods, race, and gender are key determinants that impact well-being. Hema Ramnarine Contributor

hile it’s long been suspected that our social status has an impact on our mental well-being, the extent to which social determinants play a role is still unknown. Many studies and discussions are still exploring the impact of where we live, study, and work on our mental health. However, by examining these social determinants individually, we can gain a better understanding of how much they shape mental health. In 2015, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) included mental health on their list of objectives for the first time in SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, a goal that ensures healthy living and promotes well-being for all ages. In doing so, the UN acknowledged the importance of mental health, and the role social determinants play in a person’s mental well-being. They also recognized that mental health should be included in universal health coverage. This is especially impactful given the rising costs and hardships of mental health services. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), social determinants are “the non-medical factors that influence health systems.” They make up the conditions in which people live, as well as the circumstances that shape their lives. These include race, socioeconomic status, food insecurity, education, the environment, and work-life conditions. The neighbourhood in which someone is raised, and the history of that neighbourhood, is another social determinant that can play a role in mental health. University of Toronto sociology professor Blair Wheaton speaks on the impact of childhood neighbourhoods on mental wellness. “Childhood neighbourhood disadvantage, measured by poverty for example, has long-term effects on mental health in adulthood, regardless of the neighbourhoods they live in after that,” says Professor Wheaton. “That initial difference, which can be mapped to differences in poverty, schooling, or the prevalence of unemployment, seems to stick in terms of its

impact in later life,” he adds, citing a study he published in the American Sociological Review. Another study published in the Journal of Economic Psychology also found that living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods can be detrimental to mental health. Researchers found that stress related to poverty was directly tied to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and social problems. This stress contributed to “worsening symptoms for delinquency, attention problems, somatic complaints, and anxious/depressed symptoms,” writes lead author Catherine DeCarlo Santiago. Professor Wheaton found similar results in a cross-sectional study published in Health & Place, which he co-authored. He and his colleagues sampled 2,412 Toronto residents of varying ages and genders from different neighbourhoods. They found that the greater the childhood disadvantage, the worse the level of physical and mental health. The study also yielded interesting results in terms of age and gender. Women and older residents were more susceptible than men to the perceived severity of the neighbourhood’s disadvantages. “The history of neighbourhoods has an effect [greater than] the events or situations in individual lives,” explains Professor Wheaton. One of his ongoing projects examines the impact of a neighbourhood’s history on the mental health of individuals. Race is another social determinant that can have tolls on mental health. According to Statistics Canada, the majority of people of colour and visible minorities live in lower income neighbourhoods—however, that does not mean the majority of these groups reside in low-income areas. Based on what is known about neighbourhoods’ effect on mental health, experts would expect people of colour to report higher rates of struggling with mental health. This, however, is not the case. It’s important to keep in mind that most of this literature comes from the U.S., and therefore might be subject to influences in Canada. “According to general population research [versus clinical research], African Americans have lower rates of mental disorders than Caucasians,” states Professor Wheaton. “Given what we know of how social determinants affect mental health, how can this be?”

This is known as the “Black-White Paradox.” Though many people of colour, African American and African Canadian included, are among these marginalized populations, they consistently score lower in terms of mental disorders than the more privileged Caucasian community. Professor Wheaton believes that we are looking at the question from the wrong point of view. “We shouldn’t be saying that African Americans have better mental health,” he says. “We should be saying that Caucasians have worse mental health than African Americans and asking why that is.” In a 1990 study, researchers examined the mental health of Caucasians, African Canadians, South Asians, and East Asians in Toronto. All three of the minority groups exhibited lower instances of mental disorders than Caucasian. According to Professor Wheaton, African American communities suffer greater exposure to traumatic stressors in their lives. He notes that these findings are bound by the American context. “[There’s a] greater fortification against stress that goes on in Black families, by virtue of a history of experience across generations of oppression that might actually translate into better coping skills with the threats of day-to-day life, relative to more privileged Caucasians,” he explains. Professor Wheaton points out that African Americans score higher than Caucasians on common distress scales measuring levels of anxiety and depression. This suggests that they manifest the expected consequences of more stressful lives. On the other hand, Caucasians frequently cross the threshold for more serious disorders. The sociology of mental illness is a developing field. Studies confirm the long-held belief that mental health is not just impacted by individual circumstances, but by the broader environments and socioeconomic circumstances in which they live in. “As a sociologist, I believe that [we should] worry about the structural and systemic features that should be targeted by social policies,” concludes Professor Wheaton. “This approach will have more effect on more people’s mental health than investigating individual treatment ‘solutions.’”

ANNIE SPRATT/UNSPLASH

TAKANO MARUYAMA

>> Bramer continued from page 01 In her first two years out of school, Bramer wasn’t able to hold down a job. She was inand-out of hospitals, visiting a lot of doctors, and taking multiple blood tests. “Autoimmune diseases are like a rollercoaster,” states Bramer. “You have something called a ‘flare up,’ which makes you really sick. But then six months or a year later, you can be almost symptom-free.” Three years after dropping out, Bramer felt better with the help of anti-depressants, anti-anxiety pills, and a cocktail of medicines, steroids, and pain killers. However, she still wasn’t confident enough to return to her studies. In order to get back into the groove, Bramer took a one-year college certificate course at Bronte College to become a special needs teacher. She later landed a full-time position at Philopateer Christian College (PCC) and held it for the next four years. Even though she enjoyed her time at PCC, the job was very physically demanding. “I realized that I wouldn’t be able to do that for the rest of my life because I have a chronic pain disease. If I wanted to move up in the job, I had to get another certification because I didn’t have a degree,” explains Bramer. She was split between two decisions: pursue a new certification or go back to UTM and finish her studies. She chose the latter. “It was very different being back in university when all of my friends that I had known were graduated,” recalls Bramer. She was 28 years old when she came back. “I felt very behind. I think that affected my confidence level. I thought ‘I’m so old, maybe I don’t belong here anymore.’ But as I got into it, I gained my confidence back.” When she first attended UTM, Bramer didn’t take school too seriously. Coming directly from a private school, she faced a lot of freedom and partied often. Seven years later, her priorities were straight; she knew exactly what she wanted to do. Bramer

switched her programs for the last time to a history and PWC double major, and an English minor. She took three courses per semester (the minimum amount UTM allows to be registered as a full-time student) in order to “do it right.” Bramer enjoyed being back on campus, as she had access to UTM’s mental health clinic. However, she notes that it was very difficult to get appointments on campus. Like many students, she experienced long wait times before seeing a counselor. “But to be fair, that’s also been my experience out in the real world. I don’t think it’s just UTM. Even now as a full-time working adult, if you want to see a psychiatrist or counselor, there’s long waitlists,” she shares.

“Even if you think you’re fine, even if you are in the best point of your life during a certain moment, keep your appointments or still book an appointment.” Indeed, the Canadian Institute for Mental Health Information also found that less than half of Canadians who want help for their mental health concerns receive services. The reason? There aren’t enough health professionals to meet the rising demand— despite Canada spending $51 billion annually on mental health care costs. Bramer found that what helped her most was booking appointments ahead of time at the UTM clinic. “It works out better if you try to book continuous appointments,” she adds. “Even if you think you’re fine, even if you are in the best point of your life during a certain moment, keep your appointments or still book an appointment. Think of it as an upkeep, like doctors who have regular checkups. You’re perfectly fine, but you still go in for physicals.”

Things were going well yet again for Bramer in her second round at UTM. She reconnected with Professor Allen and enrolled herself in his WRI420: Making a Book course after he recommended her to do so. Bramer spent a semester writing about the Japanese Bushido as part of her book’s manuscript. Around that time, another cousin who worked at a youth centre reached out. “She approached me and said, ‘I’m having a lot of youth come to me and they’re struggling with depression—and I don’t know. I’ve never had it. But I know you struggled with it. Do you have any advice for somebody like me who doesn’t understand?’” recalls Bramer. She shared the letter she wrote out of frustration with her cousin. Two weeks later, her cousin came back and told Bramer that she wanted to share it with her team. Bramer was shocked. She rejected the idea. Some of the people that her cousin worked with were family and friends. But eventually, Bramer agreed to share the letter with one condition: the author must be kept anonymous. “I didn’t want my name attached to it, but I figured if it was going to help people, then great.” Months passed and Bramer’s cousin returned with some news: the team was eager to learn who wrote the letter. They wanted more from the author. Bramer still felt uncomfortable again and rejected to share her identity—but then she learned someone close to her had attempted to take their own life. Her friend was rushed to the hospital. There, “the one thing she kept saying was ‘nobody understands. Nobody understands,’” recalls Bramer. “It really just broke my heart because she didn’t think anybody understood what it’s like to feel like that. I told her, ‘I understand. I understand what it feels like to be there.’ If I had been more open about my experience and not been so embarrassed or hid it, would I have been able to help her? If she had been successful in taking her life and the reason was that

nobody understood her, then I would not have been able to live with myself.” This moment, along with her letter being passed around, made Bramer change the topic of her book: one that would help people understand what it’s like to live in the shoes of a person with depression. “All the social stigma that is put on mental health and depression is not worth the life of somebody I care about. I was feeding into the mental health stigma,” explains Bramer.

“All the social stigma that is put on mental health and depression is not worth the life of somebody I care about. I was feeding into the mental health stigma.” She revisited her journal and picked out poems she had written in her teens to show what the mind of a depressed and anxious teenager looks like. “I almost gave up writing that book so many times with every story, every edit,” concludes Bramer. “It was hard. I had to keep reliving some of the worst moments of my life. [But] I kept thinking back about the one person close to me who said nobody understood her. I didn’t want anyone else feeling that way.” To You Who Might Understand (even if momentarily), Some advice: reach out. I know, scary right? It may seem like you’re in this alone, but there is always someone. A family member, a friend, a guidance counsellor, a help line… There is always someone. They may not understand what you’re going through, but please be patient. It’s difficult for them too. And remember, sometimes you don’t actually need someone who understands, you just need someone who wants to be there for you.

Arts

Editor | Danica Teng arts@themedium.ca

Mental Health Expressionism Discovering how artists like Yayoi Kusama and Georgia O’Keeffe share their struggles through art. Sherene Almjawer Contributor

f living life was as simple as waking up, being human, and going to bed, influential and expressionist art would not exist. Trauma is nothing to romanticize, nor is it something to overlook; its manifestation through art is not new to artists, especially not to Yayoi Kusama and Georgia O’Keeffe. Kusama’s and O’Keeffe’s stories of living through the deterioration of mental health may not be the same, but what unifies them is how their art took form to materialize those experiences. Kusama seems interested in the uncountable. She suffered from a variety of hallucinations as a child—the most common being a mass of dots. To rid her mind of those hallucinations, she scribbled them down on paper, which, unbeknownst to her younger self, would be the starting point of her art career. The eternal nature that inspired Kusama’s early art carried on into her most popular pieces—the endless mirrors of “Infinity Room” and the myriad of circles in “Dots Obsession” as examples. To Kusama, her art was not just about personal expression, but rather, it was a manifestation of her mental illness on paper. Repetitive motifs of nature—like in “Mushrooms,” “Flowers,” and “Pumpkins”—surrounded by a mosaic of shapes were therapeutic imagery to Kusama. Even if it was not her intention, Kusama’s art, especially the interactive exhibits, gives viewers insight into her life, childhood, and

trauma. The patterns and vivid, clean colours are parts of Kusama that are not detachable; they are what makes her art unique to her, which is something she struggled to find during her entire career. O’Keeffe’s manifestation of her mental health in her art was different from Kusama’s. Bright colours and fluid shapes occupied many of O’Keeffe’s early paintings, most notably “Series 1.” Depression was constant throughout her life. Yet, looking at many of her pieces from the 1910s and early ’20s, viewers would never assume so. Around 1925, splotches of dark and muted colours took over the once vibrant canvases. “New York with Moon” and “City Night” introduced admirers to a more foreboding side of O’Keeffe’s art. The sharp lines of the buildings, single light sources, and deep colours are stark contrasts to O’Keeffe’s early signature style. O’Keeffe slipped into a deep depression—she feared buildings collapsing on her, which gave much-needed context to her sudden, darkened shift in artistic inspiration. Unlike Kusama, O’Keeffe’s art did not seem to be her form of therapy, but perhaps an unconscious representation of what she was going through at certain points in her life. Some artists use their medium to put their mental health beside themselves—to turn their trauma into something physical they can look at and deconstruct without added stress. Others share parts of themselves through their work whether they intend to or not. Yayoi Kusama made art her medicine, and Georgia O’Keeffe turned art into her personal autobiography.

ALFRED STIEGLITZ/THE MET MUSEUM, MEXT

An honest glimpse of life with mental illness in Turtles All the Way Down Author John Green channels his own experience with anxiety and OCD into fictional character, Aza Holmes. Shruti Kamath Contributor

CW: Mental illness, anxiety, OCD

rational thoughts attempt to control the intrusive thoughts and behaviours introduced by her illness. Among other mental and physical manifestations, Aza’s OCD makes her afraid of the bacteria inside her body,

ollowing the cultural phenomenon of The Fault in Our Stars, author John Green returned five years later with Turtles All the Way Down—a raw and powerful story about mental illness and self-identity. The story’s narrator is sixteen-year-old Aza Holmes, who struggles with obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD) and severe anxiety. Following the story of a missing billionaire wanted for fraud, the novel is a complex, interwoven tale with internal and external storylines. Aza takes the reader along as she battles the illness inside her mind, making Turles All the Way Down a difficult read at times. The reader witnesses the intricate way Aza’s

GOODREADS

which compels her desire to consume hand sanitizer to cleanse it. From the first page, the reader feels the frustrations, fears, and despair that comes with Aza’s every thought. However, the internal torment that Aza faces mirrors the external journey with her friends to solve a missing person case and win $100,000. Not only does this strengthen the story and make for an interesting read, but it also provides insight as to how mental illness affects our environment and our actions, as well as how it can take a toll on both the person suffering from it and the people around them. The book’s representation of mental illness is an honest one; Green does not hold back from depicting every aspect of it. From Aza’s miserable pleas of wanting release from her mind’s “thought spirals” and “light-swallowing wormholes,” to the panic and worry of wondering if this illness has replaced her identity, this story mindfully portrays the

daily life of a person dealing with OCD and anxiety. Turtles All the Way Down strikes a balance as it does not fall into the worrisome pattern of romanticizing mental illness, but still maintains hope that it is possible to successfully overcome, or at least manage it. As Green wrote the novel based on his own struggles with OCD and anxiety, he provides an authentic look inside a life with mental illness. Green’s understanding of these issues, along with his emotional and thought-provoking prose, creates a lens that anyone can appreciate—whether someone who struggles with mental illness themselves or someone who wants to be empathetic to those who are struggling. Turtles All the Way Down is a commendable novel with an interesting plot, poignant writing, a grounded representation of mental illness, and a valuable message about life: “there is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.”

Harmful versus helpful portrayals of mental health in film Various films and television shows depict mental illness, but not all of them do it right. 13 Reasons Why (Harmful)

Split (Harmful)

Dalainey Gervais Associate Features Editor

Whitney Buluma Contributor

CW: Sexual assault and suicide

or a series supposedly about mental health awareness for teens, 13 Reasons Why spends four seasons romanticizing suicide and self-harm. This Netflix original, and one of their most controversial series, features Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford)—a depressed high school student who left behind seven cassette tapes containing 13 audio recordings. Each tape was assigned to a different classmate, listing them as reasons for her suicide. Throughout the series, Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) becomes obsessed with uncovering Hannah’s reasons, while dealing with depression and anxiety himself. Each classmate on the cassette tapes has a dedicated episode that dives into their state of mind before and after Hannah’s death, highlighting the diverse ways people grieve— which is arguably the only positive thing about the show. Inspired by the eponymous book, the Netflix series first aired in 2017, and was produced by Selena Gomez as an attempt to spark mental health conversations among teens. Ironically, a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry demonstrated a rise in adolescent suicide rates in the United States as a direct result of the series. 13 Reasons Why showed explicit scenes of the main character’s sexual assault and suicide. The portrayal of Hannah’s death by Langford was not only graphic, but it romanticized suicide as many viewers believed that the actress looked at peace. Almost two years after series’ original release, Netflix removed the suicide scene, added more content warnings, and suggested teens watch the show with an adult. 13 Reasons Why is not a story of high school teens facing their mental health challenges; it is a harmful story of revenge.

he psychological thriller Split follows Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy), who has dissociative identity disorder (DID) and 24 distinct identities. Since DID is relatively uncommon—around one per cent of the population suffers from it—any media portrayal can strongly shape the public’s view of the disorder. Instead of approaching DID with the sensitivity and care it deserves, writer and director M. Night Shyamalan recycles the frustrating cinematic trope of depicting people with mental illness as violent and unpredictable. At the surface level, the movie’s message seems empowering: people with mental illness can do extraordinary things; they are on the next rung of the evolutionary ladder. However, Split irresponsibly presents Kevin’s superhuman identity ‘The Beast’ as a remorseless villain, when really, people with DID often hide their mental illness and are far more likely to hurt themselves than hurt others. With this portrayal, the movie downplays the humanity and suffering of those with DID. The Beast also fixates on “purity” of the heart, declaring that “the broken are the more evolved.” By fetishizing suffering in this way, Split positions trauma as beneficial or even desirable. In the end, mental illness and trauma in Split exist as mere plot devices, useful only for shock value. The movie complicates the already murky public understanding of DID and inadvertently perpetuates stigma against those with mental illness.

This Is Us (Helpful) Delaney Rombough Contributor

IMDb.com

he Pearson family is no stranger to mental health issues. On the outside, the Pearsons appear to be a normal and neat family, but they all hide their problems at home. Kevin (Justin Hartley) struggles with alcoholism and addiction, Kate (Chrissy Metz) deals with body image and eating disorders, and Randall (Sterling K. Brown) deals with anxiety and panic attacks. Sometimes these mental health issues are major plot lines, and other times, they linger in the background. In early seasons, these characters struggle alone, but as the show progresses, the siblings begin to talk about these issues with each other and with their partners—a great first step. The siblings deal with their mental health in their own way, which is healthy most of the time, whether through support groups, medication, or therapy. One of the most profound moments in the show is Randall deciding to go to therapy, simultaneously choosing a Black therapist who would better understand his experiences as a Black man. This shows Randall’s commitment to getting help in a way that works for him. The Pearsons are lucky that when they encounter these challenges, they are often met with nothing but love and support, even though their public image and pride make them hesitant at times. A positive depiction of dealing with mental health issues is important in media because when we see normal people—even fictional ones—take steps to deal with their problems, we feel like we can do that too.

IMDb.com

Inside Out (Helpful) Danica Teng Arts and Entertainment Editor

t is not always easy for someone to control their emotions, and sometimes, emotions control them instead. In the case of Disney and Pixar’s animated film Inside Out, there are exactly five emotions that control a person—Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger. Inside Out looks inside the mind of 11-year-old Riley (Kaitlyn Dias), who just moved to San Francisco and is forced to start a new life. Riley’s personification of Joy (Amy Poehler) does everything she can to make Riley happy, even if that means shunning Sadness (Phyllis Smith) as much as she can. After an accident leaves Joy and Sadness locked out far from the control room, located inside Riley’s mind, adventure ensues, reflecting chaos out in the real world as a result. When her emotions are a mess, viewers see the realistic strain on a young child who is suddenly faced with change and how it affects her mental health. The film manages to create magic with its comedic and colourful journey, but at the same time, Riley’s story shows an honest portrayal of humanity that teaches you to understand and embrace all your emotions. Inside Out explores the balance of mental health and reminds people that every part of who they are matters.

sports & health

Editor | Duaa Nasir sports@themedium.ca

Manjang’s Next Chapter: Former Eagle signs first pro basketball deal UTM athlete Hassan Manjang discusses his childhood, career, culture, and religion.

“A

lot of people have dreams, not goals,” says Hassan Manjang, UTM alumnus with an Honors Bachelor of Arts in politics, sociology, and Canadian studies. Manjang was also a player on the Eagles basketball team. As an explosive guard with a lot of bounce, Manjang has been dedicating his time to preparing for his pro-basketball opportunity in Cape Verde. “My parents were able to help me graduate with no debt. […] I’m actually allowed to chase what I want to chase […] that’s why I signed this deal in Cape Verde. Playing pro basketball is going to be a reality so it’s not a dream, it’s a goal.” But basketball wasn’t always the reality-based goal for Manjang, who only began taking the sport seriously in the past ten years. At twelve, Manjang was an aspiring pro skateboarder who missed out on a sponsorship deal just before breaking his shin. After that, he decided to give basketball a try: “Then I went all-in onto ball, and I’ve always been a dreamer, an obsessive personality, so when basketball happened the first thing I noticed was that it’s way easier to get better at basketball than it is to get better at skateboarding.” In 2016, during exam time for Manjang, the dictatorship in his home country Gambia was at its peak, and people did

not have internet connection. “I literally could not message anybody back home […] This should not be happening in the 21st century. Why am I struggling to know if mom is alive, or if my dad is alive?” This incident contributed to his desire to make a difference in the world, especially in Gambia, one of the poorest countries in the world. “Politics was something I was really drawn to in university,” he says. Manjang, matured immensely as he went through high school and university. “I’m also a religious person,” he says, “so I feel like Allah, because I’m Muslim, allowed me to have this type of life and it would be selfish of me not to try and give back to other people who aren’t as fortunate.” An adversity that many Muslim athletes go through is the challenge of fasting during Ramadan while also competing at high levels. Ramadan is an Islamic month during which Muslims do not eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset. Manjang does not see this as a struggle. “Religion and basketball have never conflicted, they’ve always helped me. […] If you look at basketball, every year Enes Kanter is fasting in the playoffs and he’s still getting 12 rebounds, 12 points, 20 points, 18 points. That’s why I think it’s all mental.” Hassan Manjang’s life trajectory has gone from living in several countries, an unlucky shin-break to end his almost pro skateboarding career, landing in Canada, being able to play basketball at UTM, and finally to his undergraduate degree. As for what life holds for Hassan, we hope that his probasketball deal in Cape Verde is rewarding and that he can continue to leave his mark on the world.

HASSAN MANJANG

Robert Bui Campus Athletics Correspondent

More than robots—athletes and mental health This year, many Olympians did not participate in their sporting events to focus on their mental health. Kareena Kailass Associate Opinion Editor

his year, several Olympians have chosen to focus on their mental health and withdraw from their events in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Some notable names include Simone Biles, an American gymnast, and Naomi Osaka, a Japanese tennis player. In an article by Forbes, Biles’ courage to speak out publicly about her mental state and its hindrance on her physical performance, broke boundaries that were silently in place for years— a public perception that elite athletes at the peak of physical fitness are also mentally fit at all times. Biles’ disapproves of this idea and helped normalize topics of mental health among high level athletes with her actions. Biles spoke on her withdrawal from the games, stating, “We’re not just athletes, we’re people at the end of the day and sometimes you just have to step back.” Retired Canadian figure skater Patrick Chan also struggled with mental health battles during his training. He tells CBC, “I was burnt out. I did not want to be at the rink. […] It felt like such a daunting task to get myself physically prepared and then mentally prepared to go to the Olympics.” He further explains that the pressure emerged from years and years of being in the public eye and training endlessly to become an elite— the elite—athlete. The product? Self-doubt, says Chan. He was afraid that he would have put in so much work to become the best, only to get to the Olympics and not be the best.

Based on a study conducted by the University of Toronto, symptoms associated with mental health disorders can be higher in elite athletes than in the general Canadian population. In a self-reported survey completed by 186 Canadian Olympians and Paralympians in December 2019, results indicated that 41 per cent met the criteria for anxiety, depression, or an eating disorder. Increased stress for athletes is found to be directly linked to mental health disorder symptoms. According to a psychologist, stressors like training load, self-esteem, social support, and coping mechanisms are huge markers for mental disorders in elite athletes. The psychologist further explains that the constant feedback and criticism that elite athletes face, especially at the time of a huge competition, like the Olympics for Biles or the French open and Wimbledon for Osaka, heightens stress. In an interview with Time Magazine, several Olympic competitors, such as Kate Nye and Naomi Osaka, expressed their encounters with mental health issues during the games and

stated it is an extremely courageous and important step that athletes ensure they prioritize their health and wellbeing over their ego and their perceived responsibility to compete. They further explained that the “burden of expectation” that Olympians carry is “particularly debilitating.” Olympic athletes work tirelessly with coaches and so many other influential figures and gain the support of their nation. They feel that they are letting people—and themselves—down if they withdraw from their events. Unfortunately, some athletes faced mental breakdowns and mental health issues in light of the Olympic games held in the midst of the pandemic, and not all of the public was sympathetic to their cries for help. Understanding that Olympic athletes are human, not machines made to perform, is the first step in supporting their mental health. “Being an Olympian is advertised as this amazing thing, and they leave out all the side effects,” states figure skater Gracie Gold in “The Weight of Gold,” a documentary co-produced and narrated by swimmer Michael Phelps. We all must work together to eliminate this stigma and level the grounds for mental health. Alex Bowen, a member of Team USA’s men’s water polo team shares, “Hopefully this reframes how people look at athletes. […] We aren’t born great. But what we do to be great is relentlessly pursue greatness. It’s not all about what you are, but what you are trying to be. We are all human; the Olympics are about trying to become your best self. And it’s O.K. to get help to become your best self.”