Stigma Fall Winter 2016

S

A Voice For The Voiceless.

tigma

MAKE YOUR OWN SAFE SPACE BUILDING RESILIENCE IN YOUTH

THEOREN FLEURY: FINDING POWER IN VULNERABILITY STIGMA MAGAZINE | 1

INSPIRING HOPE AND HEALTH

TAKE THE BE YOU PROMISE

WWW.BEYOUPROMISE.ORG Stigma Magazine is published by Be You Promise.Org Thank you to Keith Rosenberg for his photography in our past issue • www.keithrosenbergphotography.com

2 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

CONTENTS

S tigma

winter 2016

Stigma Magazine is one of Canada’s premier magazines addressing the

needs of the 1 in 5 people who expe-

rience a mental illness or substance

use problem in their lifetime. Stigma presents informative and inspiring articles that show readers not just how to deal with their mental health and

addiction, but how to enjoy a healthy life style.

Publisher: BeYouPromise.org Creative Director: Julia Breese

Contact: info@stigmamagazine.com www.stigmamagazine.com 778-746-7799 Published by:

5 Stressed Out: Management Skills for Teens.............7 How to Make Your Own Safe Space.......................9 The Worst Stigma We Face Is Within Ourselves......13 From the Publisher and Editor.................................

Over Exposed: The Threat of Negative Body Image on Youth........

15 The Indiscriminate Fentanyl...............................17 Building Resilience in Youth ...............................21 Theoren Fleury: Finding Power in Vulnerability ..24 Internet Addiction in a Digital World..................29 Preventing Tragedy: Understanding Suicide Risk Factors...................

32 An Unexpected Companion..............................36 Leave out Violence: A Legacy of Love...............38 STIGMA MAGAZINE | 3

Love for one more?

We’re looking for families with love for one more...

If you can open your home and your heart to a youth in need, we want to hear from you. Join us and become part of a community that, just like you, wants to change someone’s life and make a difference.

We recruit families from across the Lower Mainland.

We are in vital need of families living in Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam and Surrey.

For more information visit our website or call:

give a kid a home.ca (604) 708-2628

FROM THE PUBLISHER

G

REETINGS TO ALL OF YOU WHO have picked

bags at this year’s CMHA Mental Health for All Conference

up this edition of Stigma magazine. My name is

in Toronto. Our distribution expanded into Saskatche-

Marie Engel and I am the new acting publisher

wan, Manitoba and Quebec and we found allies across

of the magazine. I was excited to take up the role on

the border in Utah and Texas as well.

the departure of our previous publisher and founder of

Our forward momentum isn’t going to stop here. In

Stigma, Luke de Leseleuc, who has left us to pursue new

the next months we’ll be investigating new and exciting

opportunities. It’s been an exciting and challenging few

treatments becoming available in Canada and shining

months seeing the magazine go from a handful of ideas

a light on those populations that remain marginalized

on a whiteboard into a paper and ink document in my

even within our already overlooked community of survi-

hand, but also one of the most rewarding experiences in

vors and thrivers. We’ll be bringing in fresh new talent

my working life.

that will continue to push Stigma forward and make us

Stigma is a wonderful publication and these last few

better and stronger than ever. I’d like to extend a spe-

months have just confirmed my belief that it is an inval-

cial thanks to everyone who contributed to this edition

uable resource in our community. In just three months,

of Stigma magazine, with writing, editing, design, pro-

we succeeded in getting the magazine distributed at al-

motion or simply reading the finished copy. None of the

most every single Recovery Day event that took place this

good work we do would be possible without you. I can’t

September across Canada, putting it into the hands of

wait to see what we make next!

almost 8,000 people! We were also featured in delegate

Marie Engel

FROM THE EDITOR

I

N THIS ISSUE, YOUTH ARE FRONT and centre in several stories. It’s strange

to me to talk about “today’s youth” when I often still feel like a youth myself—one who struggles with self-confidence, the fear of missing out, and

the pressure to step it up and be an “adult,” whatever that means. And while a lot of the problems that we identify with the teenage years simply manifest themselves then, they don’t necessarily disappear magically when we hit 18 or 25 or even 30-plus. Adults of any age also deal with negative body image, stress management and suicidal thoughts.

This issue also looks at two inspiring young people who’ve pushed past their own struggles and created new organizations where there were gaps in their communities. Making a community for those who feel they have none is a great way to combat complex issues in youth and adults, offering us all a safe space to start making our lives better. And whether belonging makes us feel like we’ve finally grown up, or it’s just one piece of the puzzle, it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

Kate Lautens STIGMA MAGAZINE | 5

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STRESSE D OU

MANAGEMEN

T SKILLS FOR

T TEE NS

By Cassie Hooker

S

TRESS MAY BE UNAVOIDABLE, BUT IT comes in

their stress doesn’t qualify as “real stress,” we are danger-

both positive and negative forms. While some

ously underrating a genuine problem that can have a pro-

stress can be motivating and exciting when it is

found effect on the wellbeing of our youths.

within our comfort zones, other stress can cause anxiety

School is definitely the top source of stress for the

and decrease performance when it becomes overwhelm-

younger generations, with greater and greater empha-

ing. How we choose to deal with these stressors, especial-

sis being placed at an early age on maintaining a certain

ly the negative ones, can have a profound impact on our

grade, getting into university and deciding what they are

mental and physical health.

going to do following their education. “Many of us are wor-

For adults, it’s understood that we have bills to pay, a

ried that the number of young people today experiencing

mortgage or rent to cover, a career and family to worry

mental health problems is on the increase,” said Dr. Jean

about—these are all things that are part and parcel of be-

Clinton, a child psychiatrist at McMaster University, in an

ing in a certain age group. For youth, there tends to be a

interview with Global News. “As a society, we need to be

certain misconception when it comes to the stressors in

saying this is a crisis.” Indeed, a staggering 20 per cent of

their life: their life revolves only around school and their

Canada’s youth—that’s one teen in five—suffer from high

social life, and that they won’t know real stress until they

levels of anxiety and depression that are directly related

become an adult.

to stress. Some have even taken the final step of choosing

Suffice it to say, by making the broad statement that

to end their lives because of it.

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 7

Some of the common symptoms of stress can include: • Nervousness or anxiety • Tiredness • Procrastinating • Feeling overwhelmed • Negative thought patterns • Poor sleeping habits • Poor concentration • A change in eating habits (over- or under-eating, poor food choices)

Some of the long-term health risks of chronic stress can include: • Chronic anxiety • High blood pressure • A weakened immune system • Depression • Obesity • Heart disease

The simple fact is, like adults, the younger generations also need positive ways to relieve their stress. Fortunately, youths can use the same tricks adults use to prevent and relieve stress, whether it’s caused by school, relationships or something else. >> Identify and address the problem.

Figuring out what’s really bothering you is half the battle. Fixing the problem, if you can, will make its effect on you easier to cope with. >> Avoid stress where possible. Potential problems can sometimes

8 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

be spotted a mile off, such as what

rather than also being a spot to

may happen if you hang around

process your problems, and that

certain types of people or indulge

your body and mind are truly

in certain activities. The simple

ready for sleep when you finally lay

solution, here, is to avoid things

yourself down.

you can immediately recognize as stressors.

>> Take time for yourself. Whether it’s as simple as taking a bath,

>> Pick your battles. Sometimes, you

or spending a few hours doing

have control over a problem and

something you love, it’s important

can fix it. Other times, you can’t do

to make sure you set aside some

anything about it. For the latter,ac-

time to step away from your stress-

cepting that it’s not in your control

ors—even just for a few minutes.

will help you move forward.

>> Start a hobby. Doing something

>> Exercise. One of the best ways to

like painting, writing, reading or

manage stress is to be active. Ex-

making crafts can feel like taking

ercise can be worked in daily, even

a mini vacation for your mind. The

if you think that you have no time

zen-like state that these activities

to do it. If you are studying for a

can create is extremely useful for

test and can’t focus on the class

relaxing and reducing stress.

material, for example, going for a 15-minute walk will help you clear your mind.

>> Release tension. When we opt to deal with our problems later instead of confronting them in the

>> Try active relaxation. Your body

moment, we can end up leaving

can only be either nervous or re-

so much until that date that we

laxed at any given point in time.

feel

You can often fool your body into

when “later” finally rolls around. If

relaxing by putting it into a re-

this happens, pick one problem

clined position or by using deep

to focus on and deal with it before

breathing exercises.

moving on to the next.

completely

overwhelmed

>> Eat well. Not only does proper nu-

Negative stress is an unfortunate

trition make you healthier overall,

fact of life for anyone, and the burden

but it also helps you remain alert

that youth deal with is often highly

and even-tempered throughout

underrated. As with adults, stress can

the day. Those who eat a lot of junk

produce lasting health concerns if it

food will have peaks and valleys in

is not dealt with in a healthy way. By

their energy levels, which can have

using some of the tips listed above,

a profound impact on their ability

the burden of stress can be reduced,

to manage stress in a positive way.

thus also reducing its potential im-

>> Sleep. A tired mind can’t think properly or learn well, and tiredness can lead to irritability. Make sure your bed is only for sleeping,

pact on the health of our youths.

For further information on positive stress management, please visit http://www.helpguide.org/articles/ stress/stress-management.htm

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN SAFE SPACE IN COMMUNITIES WITH A NEED, THE CHANGE CAN START WITH YOU

A

S THE SECOND-LARGEST COUNTRY IN THE

can offer. These two women share their experiences and

world, Canada offers a unique blend of advan-

offer advice for others seeking to effect change in their

tages and disadvantages: we may not need a

own communities, no matter what the size.

passport to travel from one ocean to another, but we also spread a small population over a vast territory.

So what happens when you need a service that isn’t provided in your small city or even smaller town?

For many years the answer has been that you simply do without, but with a new generation of Canadians more aware of the damage that substandard mental health and recovery resources can do, and armed with passion, work ethic and the power of the internet, it’s become possible for anyone, anywhere, to create their own safe spaces and movements for change.

For Andrea Paquette and Mandy Lawson, filling gaps in the services they needed was necessary even in Victoria, BC. While not a small town compared to Canmore, Alberta, or Elora, Ontario, for example, Victoria can’t always support the resources that cities like Vancouver or Toronto

ANDREA PAQUETTE, STIGMA FREE SOCIETY When Andrea Paquette turned 32, she had been living with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder for seven years. Her mother has bipolar disorder, too: “My mother is my biggest super hero. She’s amazing. She was diagnosed when I was three years old,” Andrea says. “She went through so much and she was always a very caring and loving mother, but I didn’t understand her situation because, as many youth may experience, mental illness is just not something that is discussed in the family.”

Andrea herself has been hospitalized, put in a psych ward, gone to South Korea, taught at university and finally founded Stigma Free Society, a support group and non-profit in Victoria.

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 9

“A lot of times that stigma is just swept under the rug

If she ever doubts that she’s making a real difference,

and people suffer in silence, like my mom did, and when I

she has her students to tell her otherwise. “One young

got sick I also suffered in silence and felt really alone,” An-

man, Grade 11, he said, ‘after your presentation I feel less

drea explains. “So my biggest inspiration was making sure

nervous about meeting my biological father who has bi-

that others didn’t suffer like my mom and I did. I believe

polar disorder.’ Even still it makes me cry.”

when we share our personal stories we shed the internal

As of this year, Mandy’s Camp Clean Beats has never

stigma of shame and ignite healing, and we shed the ex-

suffered a relapse, and in fact has even helped people get

ternal stigma by creating awareness and acceptance of

on a path to better their lives. “This girl came in, sort of sad,

all people.”

three years ago,” Mandy explains. “In a meeting she just broke down, admitting she had a problem. She’s come

MANDY LAWSON, CAMP CLEAN BEATS Mandy Lawson has also been working on Vancouver Island to provide ravers in recovery with a safe camping environment that lets them get back out and enjoy the Shambhala electronic music festival. “I started going to Shambhala in 2001. I was 22 at the time and definitely not clean and sober,” she says. “I got sober when I was 30, and I took a couple of years off [Shambhala] because I wanted to have a solid base in recovery, but it was one of my favourite places in the world to be, and I knew that most likely I would be back there.”

Her project, Camp Clean Beats, is a part of Shambhala’s comprehensive harm reduction policy and provides a safe and sober environment for people who are in recovery or just abstaining from drugs and alcohol. Camp Clean Beats also runs three recovery-based meetings a day to help keep people on track.

“I guess what inspired me was the need for it,” Mandy explains. “Shambhala can be a scary place if you’re in recovery, but it’s supposed to be a place for everyone.”

GATHERING EXPERIENCE Both Andrea and Mandy have been running their projects for years now, and both have enjoyed great rewards for their hard work. Andrea developed a youth outreach project as part of Stigma Free Society that goes into classrooms and educates people on what stigma is and how

back three years in a row and is kind of my right-hand person now, helping me run Camp Clean Beats. If Clean Beats wasn’t there, who knows how long it might have taken her just to get into recovery?”

For those with dreams of reclaiming something they loved in their previous life now that they’ve found sobriety, Mandy offers a message of strength and solidarity: “anyone out there in recovery who has a place that they love and don’t feel safe in anymore, get a crew and make it safe. Don’t go in there alone; make sure you have someone, but make it happen. It just takes two people.”

Andrea encourages everyone to “never let people tell you your dreams are not worth going after. We have to pursue what we feel is going to make an impact in our lives and the lives of other people. Don’t listen to the judgers and the haters because frankly, that’s all they are.”

SAFE SPACE 101: HOW TO GET STARTED Stigma Free Society and Camp Clean Beats both grew out of a perceived need for extra services in the community and were built in the spirit of public service and hard work. Their founders offer a wealth of experience-based advice to those looking to address a need in their own communities.

FINDING SUPPORT

it can be fought by individuals and by groups of students.

Andrea: She fast discovered that in order to deliver the

“We’re taking care of the attitudes, reception and judge-

types of programs she wanted to create, she would need

ment, and creating a level playing field for everyone to be

money. Telus Victoria Community Board was her first ma-

respected,” she says. “A lot of people are suffering and a

jor contributor, but that catalyzed into other contribu-

lot of it comes down to judgements and stigma. It’s the

tions that allowed her to hire staff and get her projects

root.”

off the ground.

10 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

Mandy: The biggest obstacle starting out was a lack of

factors stand in your way, phone or email can also help

support from Shambhala, due mostly to a lack of aware-

connect you to those willing to help you get your project

ness that sober camping was needed in the community.

off the ground.

Increasing the awareness of the need was the first step to building support from the institution.

Key takeaway: Allies are the greatest strength available to any new project. An endorsement from an established authority or a recognized leader in the field can make a big difference, especially when looking for financial support or applying for grants.

NETWORKING Mandy: It was the Wharf Rats, sober followers of the Grateful Dead and the Anonymous Village—one of six

USING TEAMWORK Andrea: When she got started with her non-profit, “thinking I could do it all on my own” was one of her greatest obstacles. When she let go and learned to trust people, her team became one of her greatest assets.

Mandy: When setting up a clean and sober space, Mandy stresses that you need a “crew.” If you yourself are in recovery, that support from like-minded people is invaluable. Mandy also reiterates that “it just takes two people,” especially when you’re getting started.

sober campgrounds at Burning Man—that provided her

Key takeaway: Teamwork can keep a project from

with literature to use when creating Camp Clean Beats.

burning out before it gets off the ground. A team not only

She also made posters and handed them out at 12-Step

distributes the work so the founder feels less pressure

meetings.

and is less likely to get overwhelmed, but it also presents

Andrea: Reaching out to many different non-profits

the opportunity to take advantage of different people’s

and charities that were doing mental health work not

strengths, increases opportunities for friend and family

only provided her with information resources, but also

networking, and plants the seeds of community and ca-

with one of the first platforms to engage people with her

maraderie in a project.

message.

Key takeaway: People already working in the field are usually driven by a passion to create change and will engage and become passionate about your message.

If possible visit offices and attend events where like-minded people might gather. If geography or other

SPREADING THE WORD Mandy: Getting on the official Shambhala website and Facebook page helped push Camp Clean Beats into public awareness and legitimize it as a part of Shambha-

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 11

la’s official harm reduction strategy. They have their own

people are “pissy� about Camp Clean Beats at Shambhala.

page now, but being linked to the established program

Some people just don’t understand why someone would

was the first step in attracting attention and campers.

want to attend the festival sober. Instead, she remembers

(Stigma magazine discovered Camp Clean Beats through

“Camp Clean Beats just isn’t for them and that’s okay.�

a two-minute video that appeared on a team member’s private Facebook newsfeed.)

Andrea: She got very few instances of resistance and the work she’s done has become a legacy that she be-

Andrea: Her first interview was with a university news-

lieves will go on even when she’s gone. She says it’s good

paper, the Martlet. While small press and local publica-

work and the bullies haven’t stopped her from doing

tions don’t provide the boost that a large newspaper or

good things in people’s lives.

news website will, they are the first step to grabbing at-

Key takeaway: There will always be someone who

tention and finding support within your local communi-

doesn’t believe in a project for one reason or another. It’s

ties. Don’t underestimate their importance when you’re

important to remember when faced with a bully that

starting out.

their behaviour is more likely to be a reflection of them

Key takeaway: The internet can connect you to un-

and what they feel about themselves than on the work

known and unexpected resources. Videos, interviews,

being done. If you believe in what you’re doing, that’s

blogs and tweets all combine to produce an unexpect-

more important than what a stranger thinks.

edly large body of work for people to engage with. Don’t dismiss any opportunity to spread your message; any little

To read our full interviews with Mandy and Andrea,

thing can become a big deal if the right people see it.

go to the Stigma Blog at www.stigmamagazine.com or visit them online at www.stigmafreezones.com

DEALING WITH BULLIES

and https://www.facebook.com/campcleanbeats/.

Mandy: She says she doesn’t take it personally when

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12 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

THE WORST STIGMA WE FACE IS WITHIN

OURSELVES

By Andrea Paquette

I

WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER WHEN I was 25. I had driven

across the country from Victoria to pursue a political career and it was a dream come true; everything was so promising and amazing. But it

wasn’t a dream life that found me in Ottawa. It was bipolar disorder.

I was hit by a major mania where I experienced a breakdown, and it led into an intense psychosis. I saw things, heard things, believed things that weren’t true and it led to my first hospitalization. I had no friends, because who wants to be friends with a crazy girl with that kind of attitude, and no family? I spent all my money because I had no concept of the consequences of spending it. I had 49 cents in my bank account and no job. I had been working as a server to sustain my lifestyle but I got fired because of my behaviour. Lastly, I had no home, because the hospital became my home when my roommates took my key.

I had $400 from social assistance promised to me to help me find a place to live, and I called the landlady and she said, “I’ll come pick you up at your house and I’ll take you to my place, it’s hard to find.” And I realized my home was a psych ward, and how would that go over if this new landlady picked me up at the psych ward? But I always say, “What if I had a sprained ankle and I was on crutches—how would that go over?” We treat broken minds and broken bones very differently in our society.

That’s when I first realized there was stigma. I didn’t even hear the word or know anything about it, but not until I felt it personally did it really hit home. I did end up getting the place, and I drove across the country again after saving money for a few months. I was off my meds, and that was when I started experi-

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 13

encing my first major depression. When I got to Victoria I realized I couldn’t do things for myself anymore. Even the simplest tasks, like going to a grocery store, felt like building a house, and it eventually led me to a very serious suicide attempt, which put me in the hospital for three days.

I very nearly died.

I got admitted to the psych ward for another month, and when I got out of the hospital I realized I had no idea what I was going to do with my life. I didn’t have any plans. A friend of mine was teaching in South Korea, and she said, ‘why don’t you come?’ And I had literally been out of the hospital for two months, and I took off because I felt so stigmatized by everyone in my life. I stayed in Korea for two years. I taught, started writing my book and I made a lot of new friends. When I got back I did this seminar called the Landmark Forum. During this seminar, I had the biggest epiphany of my life to that point, where in front of 500 people I said, “Hi, my name is Andrea, and I just learned in this seminar that I HAVE bipolar and I am NOT bipolar.”

That was a distinction for me that really shattered the stigma because I realized I wasn’t defined by my illness.

It took me seven years to get to that point and I definitely needed that time to deal with stigma and become okay with having a mental illness. I created a “Bipolar Babe” T-shirt; it became my nickname. I owned it proudly—eventually, not initially. And next came the evolution of the Bipolar Disorder Society of BC, which is now called the Stigma Free Society.

I incorporated with a board of directors and it was about six months later that we got our charitable status; from date of approval, it took only 29 days. It usually takes two years. Now we’ve taken everything we did with the BPDSofBC and just grown it. It’s not just me anymore, and we present to students in schools and adults in the community, sharing our mental illness journey—candidly, openly and honestly. The basis of these presentations is the Stigma Free Zone strategy.

A Stigma Free Zone is a place where youth, or all people in the community, refrain from actions that may harm the emotional wellbeing and confidence of others, a safe space where people can exist free of ridicule, harassment and especially bullying because I believe that it is stigma that is the root of bullying. We can talk about “don’t bul-

14 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

S U P ER H ER OES ly” and that’s fine to get those messages out there, but if we start talking about the root of why bullying happens it is truly, I believe, because of stigma. The way to combat that is to encourage people, and youth especially, to understand differences and celebrate their diversity and individuality.

Almost all of it has been positive but one obstacle stands out, and that was my self-stigma. The external stigma I felt—the judgement of other people I feared—that let up, but that internal stigma is what we think about ourselves. I think that shame is different. But I knew that I did not go through that experience for nothing and there was a deeper meaning in it.

I’m grateful now because without my having been diagnosed with bipolar there would be no Stigma Free Society—it wouldn’t even exist. We educate 2,000 students a year and we’re going to do more now that we’re based in Vancouver. I’ve been a spokesperson for Telus Let’s Talk and been a Face from Faces of Mental Illness. I actually get to speak on behalf of people who don’t feel that they can speak for themselves, gladly and with passion. I also think one of the major obstacles is me thinking I could do it all on my own in the beginning, and feared trusting my concept of the project and ideas to other people. I soon learned that without a team you don’t grow, and you can’t do everything.

I think there was an obvious aligning of the stars in many ways with the Bipolar Disorder Society and now Stigma Free Society. I think this work is really important, and even the top politicians are seeing there’s a need for youth mental health, services to address stigma, and education around it. I believe personally that when it comes to mental health, and mental illness particularly, we are in a mental health movement, creating conversations free of stigma. It’s my goal to push that conversation even further to become about more than just mental health.

There’s so much more to explore.

Over Exposed The threat of negative body image on youth

By Cassie Hooker

B

E HONEST: HOW OFTEN HAVE you stood in front of a mirror, and thought that if you could change your weight or some other thing about yourself, you’d be happier?

For young people especially, the constant pressure to look a certain way can have a dramatic effect on their lives.

There are a lot of different factors that influence the way they feel about how they look, including the media, their peers and even their families. It used to be that teasing from peers and family was accepted as just a part of life, and that the media’s bombardment of beauty ideals would stop when you shut off the TV, or put down the magazine.

These days, with near-constant exposure to social media thrown into the mix, our youths are reaching a level of saturation never seen before. Society’s ideals of beauty are literally everywhere, and a trend in fat-shaming has joined in on the bombardment, ensuring that they cannot easily escape it. This all-encompassing exposure to supposed beauty ideals leads many teens to experience bullying from others or self-deprecating thoughts about themselves.

Social media sites are prime culprits for body shaming.

For instance, the UK-based initiative Project Harpoon is responsible for the #ThinnerBeauty campaign, in which photographs of plus-sized people are edited without their consent, to make them appear thinner. The altered photo is placed next to the original, and then they are sent out over the internet with the tag #ThinnerBeauty. There are also the unrealistic and unhealthy thinness trends that have spread from China across the world, courtesy of social media, such as the A4 Challenge, which has women comparing the width of their waist to that of an A4 sheet of paper.

Body image has to do with not only how youth think about themselves, but also how they think other people view them, including how they figure their bodies fit into what’s considered normal. Someone with a positive body image is comfortable with their size and how they look, and generally doesn’t feel the need to change anything about their appearance. Someone with a negative body image may indulge in unhealthy activities in order to change their size or the way they look, such as starving themselves or undergoing costly surgical procedures.

Some, when pushed hard enough and for long enough, even choose to take their lives because of it.

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 15

We tend to think of negative body image as part and parcel of being a young woman. Statistics Canada states that 90 per cent of diagnosed eating disorders in Canada occur in females, with only 10 per cent occurring in males.

Whereas young women are expected to be thin and flawless, young men are expected to have the perfect muscular body. The problem is, although this bombardment is largely the fault of popular media, it doesn’t stop there.

Peers and family members can be just as guilty of reinforcing these negative ideals, through bullying or even “harmless” teasing about weight, or bad acne, or one’s choice of clothing, among other things.

“I struggled with anorexia from eight years old until I was well into my teens,” says 20-year-old Victoria, BC, native Lacy Smythe.* “When I was young, my father told me that if I wanted to get anywhere in life, I should rely on my body because I was not smart enough. He often compared me to different supermodels, and said I should try to be like them. I believed him, so I starved myself. When I was 13, I weighed 60 pounds.”

From this kind of social pressure, a truly ugly beast can rear its head: the body image disorder, of which there are four: • Anorexia Nervosa. Characterized by a fear of gaining weight, those battling anorexia nervosa perceive themselves as fat, even though they may actually be excessively underweight. They will often take steps to ensure they don’t gain weight, such as skipping meals or undergoing extreme diets.

• Bulimia Nervosa. As with anorexia, those battling bulimia have an intense fear of gaining weight. The difference is that individuals with bulimia will often binge-eat the foods they like, and then purge to get rid of the calories in some way, such as vomiting.

• Body Dysmorphic Disorder. This disorder involves having a vastly distorted opinion of what one looks like. Individuals with body dysmorphic disorder will often scrutinize their body and appearance for flaws, even taking extreme measures to correct them, including expensive surgery.

• Depression. Although it’s not often associated with body image, depression can have a negative effect on how people perceive themselves, causing them to believe they are less physically attractive than they may actually be.

Changing the popular concept of beauty to be more inclusive of differences is the most difficult part of tackling

16 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

the trend of fat-shaming. After all, the people who do the shaming also get their opinions of what is beautiful from the current popular ideas of beauty. “There is no justification for discriminating against people because of their weight,” said Sarah Jackson, co-author of a 2014 study conducted by the University College London. “Our results show that weight discrimination does not encourage weight loss, and suggest that it may even exacerbate weight gain.”

Fortunately, there are personal mediating factors that can help youths reduce the impact of body shaming and the unhealthy popular concepts of beauty.

• Have a strong, supportive network of family and friends whom they can talk to.

• Get active. While it is unhealthy to try to conform to beauty ideals, regular physical activity and a good level of fitness is positively related to high self-esteem.

• Use coping skills and critical thinking to broaden their outlook and help them analyze a situation and make educated decisions about it.

• Keep a balanced life that includes hobbies, social and even spiritual activities, which can help contribute to overall happiness, putting less focus on body image.

While getting the media to change its tune is no easy task—and certainly not a quick one—it is possible to adopt healthy practices that will help reduce the impact of ever-present body shaming. Likewise, for anyone grappling with any of the body image disorders, making the positive choice of seeking professional help will begin the long path to healing.

For more information on body image and the impact of body shaming on youth, please visit: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ hp-ps/dca-dea/publications/hbsc-mental-mentale/weightpoids-eng.php *Name has been changed.

THE INDISCRIMINATE

FENTANYL Dr. Hakique Virani on its widespread usage—and how we all can help

By Marie Engel

I

n APRIL 2016, BRITISH COLUMBIA DECLARED a pub-

health authority and addiction medicine specialist help

lic health emergency in response to an unprecedented

us shed light on a problem that for too long has been

surge in drug overdoses. Five months later the premier

held in the shadow by stigma and prejudice.

announced that the province would be devoting $10 million to address the emergency that many believe to have

When did you first get involved in the drugs and addic-

one major culprit: fentanyl.

tion side of health care?

A drug that just a handful of years ago was little known

In my public health career the population I was most

outside of the anesthesiologist circle has become the cat-

working with early on was First Nations living on reserves.

alyst for one of the greatest modern public health crises in

It doesn’t take long working with First Nations to devel-

North America. Where did it come from? How did it sneak

op an affection for those communities and to recognize

up on us like this? Who are the people behind the num-

how much of a role trauma, mental health concerns and

bers we see filling up our newsfeeds, listing hundreds of

addiction play in their overall health and quality of life. As

overdoses and dozens of deaths every month?

I retrained in addiction medicine, I started to gain an ap-

Dr. Hakique Virani had been dealing with the effects of

preciation for the migration of First Nations people who

drugs and addictions on our most vulnerable and mar-

are living on reserves into the inner city of places like Ed-

ginalized communities since before fentanyl and its many

monton. And so, with my colleagues, I opened a clinic in

analogues arrived and has been on the front lines of the

downtown Edmonton to serve that population of people

epidemic since. His experience and insight as a public

who are struggling with, primarily, opioid addiction. Over

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 17

the past several years we are seeing that demographics

reject that suggestion. The only good thing I can think

affected by opioid addiction have become far broader.

that’s come out of this crisis is that so many people know

We are seeing people from every socioeconomic status,

someone that has been affected by this emergency, either

every geographic location, every age group, every walk

as a casualty or as someone who is currently struggling

of life: this is a condition that doesn’t discriminate. What

with an addiction, that it helps people recognize that this

we’re seeing more and more are young people who have

is just part of the human condition. Some people use sub-

presented having been exposed to fentanyl and fentanyl

stances, and people have used substances for millennia

analogues in recreational use quickly becoming addicted

and they’ll continue to. People who run into trouble with

and losing promising futures very quickly before getting

substances are no less human. They’ve just run into trou-

treatment.

ble. I think it’s a particularly Canadian value to help somebody who has run into trouble. During question period in

Who do you think were the first people affected by the

our legislature in generally conservative Alberta, I’ve even

rise of fentanyl?

seen our most conservative party demanding improve-

That’s tough to say. It’s not uncommon seeing those

ment in access to harm reduction services. I think the typ-

who present in their early young adulthood—18, 19, 20—be-

ical ideologies that have separated people are being re-

coming addicted to fentanyl and other opioids but having

placed by a common concern for folks who have run into

never smoked marijuana or drank alcohol. There’s a large

trouble with substances.

focus and concern over young drug users. We started to see that in the rich suburbs of Edmonton and I think in

What’s the best course of action for people who want to

many other cities we were seeing a similar phenomenon.

make a difference in their communities?

But we also see fentanyl being traded in the inner cities

First of all, speak up. People who make decisions often

among people who are struggling with injection drug use.

don’t know the level of support there is for these types

Those fatal overdoses are just as tragic as any other.

of services that seem like they might get them into trouble politically. But the number of voices that are coming

Should the fentanyl emergency continue to go the way

forward to demand better treatment for people suffering

it is right now, who is most at risk?

from addiction, and evidence-based treatment for people

The overarching statement is that everyone who is ex-

who are suffering from addiction, are coming from plac-

posed to opiates is at risk of opiate overdose or any adverse

es that one might not expect—from upper-middle-class

effects of opiates. Anyone practising recreational drugs or

families living in the suburbs, from media—and these are

any kind of street drug is at risk of being exposed to fen-

influential voices that I think our decision-makers need to

tanyl. We’ve heard of overdoses from people who thought

hear. Speaking up is critically important.

that they were using cocaine or methamphetamine that

Next, everybody knows somebody who is struggling

were actually cut with opiates or fentanyl and some of its

with an addiction, I think, whether you realize it or not,

even more toxic analogues. Probably this is the scariest

so look for signs amongst your friend circle and family for

I’ve ever seen the illicit drug market in North America.

people who are struggling. Whether or not you suspect there’s addiction or some other mental health issue going

Do you think the fentanyl emergency has changed the

on, be understanding and compassionate that sometimes

average person’s attitude towards drugs and addicts?

people go through a rough time. While it sounds cliché or

If you read the online comments sections underneath

fluffy, it is really, really important. If nobody else thinks that

news articles or YouTube videos, you might find yourself

a life is worth anything, it’s difficult for somebody to see

quite discouraged. There are some people who still feel

for themselves that their life is worth something and that

like addiction is a moral failing or evidence of weakness in

there’s hope. While you might not be in a lifesaving profes-

individuals who don’t belong in society. I don’t prescribe

sion, your interactions with people can be more lifesaving

to that paradigm. And I think that increasingly Canadians

than you know.

18 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

What do you think is the best advice for young people

much stronger drug policy. Nobody who knows anything

who are not abstaining from substances but who want

will try and tell you that the war on drugs has been a suc-

to protect themselves from fentanyl?

cess. And you won’t even find police officers who say they

To the extent that people can know what they’re using

can arrest and jail their way out of this problem. Smarter

is very important. I think that the other critical measure is,

drug policy is critical. Decriminalization of drugs for per-

don’t mix drugs. Particularly if you’re using something that

sonal use has achieved remarkable things in a country

you think is heroin or fentanyl, do not be drinking alcohol

like Portugal, where the fatal overdose rate is an order of

or using other prescription medications like sedatives or

magnitude or two lower than in Canada, and where the

sleeping medications along with them: that increases the

approach is not to punish people for using substances,

risks. Never use alone. Carry a naloxone kit. If you happen

but to mitigate the risk for people who use them and to

across someone you think has overdosed on drugs, call 911.

provide compassionate care for people who have run into

I think that increasingly the threat of police action is a bar-

trouble with them. That sounds to me like much more of

rier to people calling for help when there’s an overdose.

a Canadian approach to this than to try to incarcerate your

I hope that’s changing. You see that to the extent possi-

way out of a public health emergency.

ble fire and EMS will respond to overdose calls and police aren’t necessary. It’s such a great thing to see that folks

This interview has been ed-

can be less afraid of repercussion when they call for help

ited for length and clarity. For

and rather feel like it’s the normal thing to do. The other

the full interview with Dr. Vira-

thing that’s becoming more critical is for people who are

ni, in which we also discussed

using drugs to do a test first, in a very, very small quantity,

government reaction, compre-

particularly recognizing that the opioids on the street now

hensive harm reduction and

are extremely and wildly unpredictable.

more, visit our website at www.

One of the overarching changes that has to be made to

stigmamagazine.com.

address this and other problems like this in the future is a

S

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BUILDING RESILIENCE IN YOUTH

A PORTRAIT OF AN EDUCATOR

By Cassie Hooker

B

UILDING RESILIENT YOUTH IS NOT JUST the

themselves, and be

role of parents. The skills and support needed

able to feel confi-

to encourage and validate the younger gen-

dent and successful

eration to become successful adults also falls on the

in whatever they’ve

shoulders of those on the front lines: our educators.

chosen to do. I think

For Terri Smith, principal of Victoria’s George Jay El-

my role as a principal

ementary School, the process has to start in childhood. In a candid conversation, Smith spoke of the vital role of educators, and how George Jay Elementary is working toward a better future, one student at a time.

What made you decide to become a teacher and, later, a principal?

I decided to be a teacher because I liked to help people. I did peer tutoring in Grade 9 and 10, and I really liked working with those peers who struggled the most. Principal? I like to have an impact on a larger scale than just my classroom. I loved every minute that I was in my classroom, but I started to look for ways to help more people on a larger scale—to make a difference for kids.

What is the role of educators in building resilience in the younger generation?

I think our role as educators is to teach kids to help themselves, recognize that they are able to help

is to give them the skills that will allow them to succeed. I really believe that all kids can do that: at whatever level they are able to be their best, they can be their best, and I think it’s our role to both know that and show them that they already have the skills they need.

George Jay is in one of Victoria’s lower income neighbourhoods. Do you feel that factors like financial status impact how our youth are able to adapt to life’s stresses and become successful adults?

Absolutely, and I think that we can help them overcome these barriers. I will tell you a little story. A couple of years ago, I had the occasion to drive one of my students home, and I made an error in my driving.

I said, jokingly: “When you learn to drive, don’t drive

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 21

“

like Mrs. Smith.” She looked at me and said: “I will nevwould never have the money to drive, and that nobody would ever teach her. That really hit me hard. I thought, “No, we need to change that mindset.” The mindset, for

some kids, is “I’ll never have the money. I’ll never have the means. I’ll never have anybody to teach me.” I’m always hopeful that that is not true but, at the same time, I have

building resilience in kids, in school, is about giving them opportunities to try and to fail in things, and be secure in their failure.

“

er drive.” When I asked her why not, she said that she

to be realistic. What we do here at George Jay is to try to take away as many of those barriers as we can. I think it’s the responsibility of the school to help kids have the resilience to overcome those barriers. When they leave us, we are really hopeful that they will

have

this

resilience, and that their next schools

will

respect the fact

that

some

kids

just have it harder.

Building

cherish—I would rather the kids learn to discipline themselves. They need to have the fortitude, the resilience and the understanding to get through their mistakes without having somebody always doing it for them.

George Jay has a number of programs that focus on positive validation, stress management and personal regulation. Can you tell me about some of the ways the school works toward building resiliency?

Sue MacTavish, our youth and family counsellor, runs a multitude of programs, like the Circles program, which teaches about social boundaries. We are also a restitution school. We teach children to recognize what caused

resil-

ience has to start in childhood, not only by the child, but also their family, friends and educators. As an educator, do you ever find yourself filling multiple roles in this equation?

I often find myself being a parent to the parents of the children that I teach. It’s shocking to me how often parents come to me for advice. It’s better now that I’m older, but I remember parents coming to me when I was in my early twenties, and I was shocked by the amount of faith they put in me simply because I was a teacher. George Jay certainly acts as a family for our children. We care about them, and we give them a feeling of safety. Sometimes,

22 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

we have to be disciplinarians as well. It’s not a role that I

them to make a decision or a mistake, and determine what they could do differently next time—how they could move forward. I think building resilience in kids, in school, is about giving them opportunities to try and to fail in things, and be secure in their failure. Lots of our kids come to us unable to try new things in a risk-free way. We do a lot of work just building up to asking kids to do something out of their comfort level, because we learn through our failures as much as through our learning.

As someone who is at the forefront of enabling at-risk children to grow into resilient youths, has there been a particular instance in your career that has made you most proud?

I remember a boy in Grade 7 who had been told he was learning disabled, and therefore couldn’t do anything. I just taught him to do a research project.

He did a great research project. His mother was so thankful that I spent the time to help him learn and present in the way that he could. He went on

to be very successful. He graduated university this year. When he came into Grade 7, the boy was so downtrodden, believing that his label would keep him from learning. His parents never thought he would get there. I always thought he would, because I believe there is a path for everybody.

There are lots of instances that make me proud. You’re going to make my cry, now! Last year, I got an email from someone that I had taught 27 years ago. She said that in times of trouble and stress, she always thought of me, and thought about what I would say.

To learn more about building resilience in youth, visit http://fosteringresilience.com/7cs. php.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

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STIGMA MAGAZINE | 23

24 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

THEOREN FLEURY

FINDING POWER IN VULNERABILITY

By Marie Engel

T

HEOREN FLEURY WAS ONCE A HOUSEHOLD

it’s all that stuff, but to me it’s also a learned behaviour.

name in hockey, the hotheaded NHL star and gold

You grow up seeing your parents struggle with addiction,

medal winner who made headlines with his ag-

those are learned behaviours [you develop]. Then we be-

gression on the ice, and then with his drug and alcohol

come adults and we go through our own struggles. It’s a

problems in his personal life. When he came forward with

way of dealing with emotional pain.

the story of Graham James and the sexual abuse he suf-

So many people think that trauma lives in its own box

fered in his adolescence, he became a talking point for

and mental health lives in its own box and addiction

different reasons. Now when people speak about Fleury,

lives in its own box, but I think they all live in the same

they are most likely to be talking about his legacy as a

house. We experience trauma in our childhood that leads

bestselling author and advocate for the twin causes of ex-

us to emotional pain and suffering. And that’s what I call

panding therapy and destigmatizing abuse in Canada so

mental health. And how do you deal with that emotional

no one will have to go through what he did.

pain? You gravitate towards the dark side of life and you need something to cope with this pain that you’re expe-

What was your childhood like, and the first issues you

riencing. Because our brains aren’t fully developed until

dealt with as a young person?

we’re in our late 20s, we don’t have the tools to deal with

It was good and bad. Both my parents experienced a

what’s going on with us.

childhood trauma in their lives and they ended up coping with it through addictions of their own. So my life was

When you were young, did you realize that the things

very chaotic.

you were doing were ways to cope with pain?

No, how could I know? There was no research. They diag-

Do you feel that contributed to the issues you had later

nosed me with ADHD is what they did, they gave me an-

in life?

other label—we love our labels. Especially pharmaceutical

There’s no question, absolutely. I really believe that all

companies, they love labels. They fill us full of more drugs.

the stuff on addiction, that it’s a disease, that it’s genetic,

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 25

Did they put you on medication?

After going through all that, how did you reach this lev-

No, god no. They tried.

el of success and happiness that you have now?

I just got to a point in my life where I was completely ex-

What put you at the most risk as a young person?

hausted from living in constant emotional pain and suf-

I think it was my experiences with watching my parents,

fering. I had tried everything on the planet to get rid of

and then obviously my sex abuse happened to me in my

that emotional pain and nothing was working. I had to

adolescence and that played a big part in it.

try something different, something new, and little did I know, that vulnerability would be the key to turning my

Do you feel that coming from a family with its own is-

life around. I found my voice and started to tell my story,

sues made you more vulnerable?

and when I started to tell my story, I discovered the power

Yeah, I was the classic guy that a guy like Graham James

of me. All of a sudden, at book signings, at speaking en-

looks for.

gagements, at the mall, or walking down the street, people would come up and start sharing their own stories.

What kind of behaviours and signs do you think he

And there’s so much power behind that. It’s been incred-

picked up on when he decided whom to target?

ible, it’s been amazing.

Where their parents aren’t emotionally available for them.

Obviously he was in a position of power, because he knew

Can you talk about the idea of there being power in vul-

that I wanted to be an NHL hockey player and have a fu-

nerability?

ture in hockey. So all the signs were obviously there. He

That’s why we’re doing this interview. We’re trying to get

moved me away from my family environment, my home,

rid of the stigma. So many people compare and judge

and my friends.

so they don’t have to judge themselves and that’s part of the stigma. It’s what predators prey on, is stigma. They

He tried to isolate you.

know their victims aren’t going to tell anyone, they aren’t

Yes.

going to say anything, because there’s so much shame attached to it, there’s so much guilt attached to it. But

For other people, and young men in particular, who are

if you can get past that to the vulnerability part, which

in a situation where they feel isolated and they don’t

is talking about things that are uncomfortable, talking

know how to deal with it, what would be your advice to

about things that are secret, it creates a safe space, a safe

them to protect themselves?

environment, where others can approach and share their

Well, it’s hard, because you’re not fully mature enough

stories.

to figure out that this is actually happening and by the time you do, it feels too late, you’re in too deep.

Did you find a lot of comfort in the realization that you weren’t alone?

You have to remember this

There’s no question. Even when I first came out with my

happened to me almost 35

story, which was only seven years ago, there were still a

years ago and we didn’t talk

lot of people who were uncomfortable with me talking

about sexuality; we didn’t talk

about the things that I talk about. Even in the media they

about all these issues that are sort

wanted the gory details instead of the solution, or the op-

of in the forefront now. People of our

portunity to create safe spaces for people. I would talk to

generation, we grew up with tough

reporters and tell them my story and the look of disgust

love. You just sucked it up and dealt

on their face, or the transformation of shame onto me by

with it on your own. And as we now know, that causes more problems than it does any good.

26 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

telling my story, was really interesting.

But you’re still happy you told people, even though you

When I first started out, I started out on a quest to

had to go through that?

change the justice system and I quickly figured out that

Absolutely. Somebody has to stand out front. So at the

there was no interest at that level. And so I felt that the

end of the day I stopped caring about what other people

low-hanging fruit in all of this was that we could all heal.

thought. It wasn’t about how I felt about myself, it was

I’ve spent the last five years focused on healing, creating

about how they felt about themselves. It was a projection

conversation, creating safe spaces and safe environments.

on their part.

I have seen change, although slowly, and that’s exciting.

If you could speak to other young people in that same

really hasn’t been any leadership on this subject. There’s

situation, what would you say?

very little support from government, very little support

It’s a hard thing. It’s difficult to help people who don’t

and leadership from people who should. There should be

want help, until you get to that point where you’re fed

more support and more places that people can go to

up and you tell yourself, ‘I’m going to start to tell my sto-

get the help that they need.

I think from a government leadership standpoint, there

ry.’ But obviously the more advocates that are created through the process of vulnerability, [the better]. There’s

Theoren Fleury is providing some of that

been lots of examples coming forward and telling their

support through his Breaking Free Founda-

stories.

tion (breakingfreefoundation.ca), which distributes therapy grants that set up clients

Did you find it difficult to find your voice?

from trauma backgrounds with professional

No, not at all. I was getting instant feedback from oth-

therapists and pay for the first six sessions of

er survivors that they found my story inspiring, and they

therapy.

found my story sort of a catalyst for their own.

This interview has been condensed and edited.

Helping one person at a time, Reverend Al and donors like you deliver proactive services to the most vulnerable members of our community.

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HOPELIVESHERE.CA

778.440.1471

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28 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

2015-08-31 8:05 PM

INTERNET

A D D ICTIO IN A DIGITAL

N WORL D

By Marie Engel

B

EGINNING WITH HIS DYSFUNCTIONAL CHILDHOOD, a family history of addiction, a slow decline dotted with attempts to run from a problem and only ever winding up back where he started or worse, with a complete breakdown, a near-death experience and a rock-bottom moment, Eric Bourgault has a common story that many people can see themselves in.

But his is unique in the recovery community in Canada: many of the most hardworking and sympathetic recovery doctors, advocates and therapists will shake their heads in disbelief when they hear what Bourgault is addicted to. Even now, years after finding recovery, he is constantly fighting not only the stigma associated with addicts in our society, but the stigma within the recovery community that trivializes and dismisses his addiction as a real disease.

Bourgault is an internet addict. Over the years he struggled with his addiction, he consumed literally hours of every distraction the internet had to offer, filling up on video games, porn and social media as his physical, emotional and spiritual health wasted away. As strange as it sounds in a world where the vast majority of us spend at least some part of our day online without displaying any symptoms that would be associated with addiction, Bourgault’s story is a compelling case against the sadly prevalent social attitudes that lead everyone from friends to health professionals to dismiss him and others like him as simply suffering from a lack of control.

As is the case in many addicts, Bourgault’s addiction began in his youth. He recalls an isolated childhood and being bullied at school. His family was “too caught up by this big electronic box” to offer him the support he needSTIGMA MAGAZINE | 29

ed. “An addictive personality was my way to cope with my lack of support and to fill the empty space,” he says.

As the number of screens and their presence in his life intensified, he found himself more and more drawn in to the constant stimulation and distractions they offered him. “Video games and, later on, internet porn brought me to another world of infinite fantasy and mental confusion,” he says.

With no name for his addiction and no resources available, there were precious few places for Bourgault to turn as his condition worsened. Eventually he joined the Canadian Forces “for real and exciting challenges but also to remove myself from the hypnotic computer screen,” he explains. “What I found instead was the need to prove myself and use alcohol as a fake friend to cope with the stress from this impersonal environment.”

Like many addicts before him, Bourgault’s escape from his untreated addiction did not cure him, but instead led him down new paths to the same self-destruction. The new addiction would follow him when he left the army and worked on the road in various circus shows. Years later, the producer of the circus asked him to return home to promote the circus, infatuated with the idea of new innovations and efficiency offered by the burgeoning field of online business. Bourgault returned to sedentary life to

30 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

find his old demons were waiting for him there.

In 2004 he entered treatment to address his alcoholism, but at no point in this therapy was the idea of internet addiction discussed. He got sober, but his online addiction was as unchecked as ever. He became a professional MC and eventually started doing presentations to groups about the importance of connecting with nature and physical activity, but all the while he was still deep in the well of his addiction, obsessing over his social networks and online distractions. “I was sober from alcohol, but sitting at the edge of a cliff as my compulsive internet disorder became even stronger than the denial and the shame,” he says.

Like many other addiction disorders, Bourgault’s condition brought a spectrum of physical ailments to bear on him. The decreased physical activities of people addictively obsessing with technology span diabetes, obesity and a litany of heart disorders, but in Bourgault’s case he also suffered constant insomnia, headaches, myopia, carpal tunnel, bladder infections as a direct result of staying anchored to a chair day in and day out, as well as a deepening depression and eventually even suicidal thoughts.

He suffered an emotional and spiritual breakdown from being, to his mind, a total hypocrite in his work.

“I was completely absorbed by gruelling work, manag-

ing my own career. I was, in fact, the antithesis of my own message,” he says, “spending numerous hours on my many devices to nurture my social networks while encouraging other people to reconnect with nature, not electronics.”

It would take what he calls “nervous breakdown from a mental fatigue and a near-death experience” before he was ready to fight his addiction head on. At the end of his rope, he made the radical decision to leave everything behind; in 2007, he bought a one-way ticket to Switzerland and spent the next seven years on a bicycle. He travelled over Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas in search of treatment for the disease that was slowly killing him.

This time he found it. After years of volunteer work on a variety of organic farms, living in dozens of different communities and studying with an entire spectrum of holistic healers, he was finally in control of the addiction that had dominated so much of his life.

Bourgault’s journey will sound very familiar to people who have never suffered from any kind of digital or internet addiction because, as alien as it sounds at first blush, it really isn’t that different from many stories of alcohol or substance addiction and recovery we hear in

our community. What makes it truly, and sadly, unique, is the complete lack of care and resources available to him, a situation only slightly better than it was 7 years ago. What also makes it different is that Bourgault is in no way able to escape the constant presence of the internet and technology in his life, as they make themselves more and more prominent and irreplaceable. Even after everything he has experienced, Bourgault can’t dismiss the importance of technology and the changes it’s making in everyday life.

“I am not against modern technology. However, my story from this compulsive disorder—and my journey to find a cure and a balance—[speaks] for itself and [represents] the same story from all the people stuck with the same dilemma,” he says. “Those that I met gave me a clear picture of this undiagnosed stigma and told me how much we need to take some actions to support it.”

You can read more about Eric, his experience and his current projects at www.reconnaction.com

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PREVENTING TRAGEDY UNDERSTANDING SUICIDE RISK FACTORS COULD HELP SAVE A LOVED ONE

By Javier Alemán

S

UICIDE IS ALWAYS A TRAGEDY. AND an irrepara-

variables including genetic and psychological vulnerability

ble one. The person who commits it is putting an

(diathesis, with certain tendency to amplify stimuli relat-

end to her life, to everything that was left to live.

ed to suicide); the kind of experiences lived at early ages;

After it happens, often the community is left wondering

biological problems (serotonin deficiency, for instance);

how nobody could see it coming, how they weren’t able

and the person’s environment (van Heeringen, 2001).

to reach out to a person that was suffering, how it could have come to that. Understanding suicide risk factors and motivations for such a decision are key steps in identifying prevention strategies and gestures that those close to an at-risk individual may adopt. This not only can help the at-risk individual get through their problems but also to ask for professional help.

In 2012, the latest year with a complete updated record, the suicide rate in Canada for teenagers between 15 and

As there are no simple explanations, it’s vital to be familiar with suicide risk factors so we can recognize those in our own lives who might be at risk: >> Suicide rates are higher in men than women, almost at a 3:1 ratio. >> Men usually choose the more violent methods: shooting or hanging.

19 years old was 10.2 per 100,000 population. Suicide has

>> More women attempt to commit suicide than men.

also been the second-most common cause of death in

>> Stressors related to the transition from teenage years

this age group, only below car accidents. Even though the

to adulthood may contribute to adolescent suicide.

age group with the highest suicide rate is still 55–59 years old (17.6 per 100,000 population), suicide is especially dramatic at such young ages, when there is so much time left to live.

IDENTIFYING RISK FACTORS There is not a single, straightforward motivation for suicide, and it usually doesn’t happen due to a single event in the person’s life. It is a complex phenomenon, with several

>> A higher risk of suicidal behaviour has been identified in people from dysfunctional backgrounds and adverse family circumstances: divorce and family problems; physical or sexual abuse; poverty; and parental violence. The highest impact factor is related to the duration and intensity of the circumstances. >> People with suicide cases or suicide attempts in their family history are at higher risk of suicidal behaviour.

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>> Suicide and social inequality are linked: higher risks

Get answers to your questions no questions asked…

are related to lower socioeconomic status, to lesser education opportunities and to homeless people. >> Homosexual, lesbian and bisexual people (teenagers especially) are at a higher risk of developing suicidal thinking and behaviours than heterosexual ones, as they are exposed to more discrimination and rejection due to their sexual orientation. >> About 90% of young people attempting or commit-

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ting suicide have been previously diagnosed with some kind of psychiatric disorder. >> Discrimination suffered by people with mental problems and disorders increases suicide risk: it causes social isolation, feelings of loneliness and even unemployment. >> Social stigma associated with depression and other psychological issues makes it more difficult for people suffering from them to look out for help.

There are protective factors against suicide as well, although psychological investigation hasn’t yet found solid evidence to support them as risk factors. Among them we may find (and try to encourage): >> Good problem solving skills. At its most basic, suicide is often viewed as a permanent answer to a problem that seems impossible to solve. >> Family and community support. >> Good integration within the community (family, school, neighbourhood). >> Personal or religious beliefs against suicidal behaviour. >> Good conflict resolution skills.

And what about media? It is a generally accepted assumption that media should never report suicides, as it could cause a copycat effect (known as the “Werther effect”), but evidence on this subject is contradictory. There are some cases when widely publicized events end up generating an emulation effect, so it may seem that media or internet publicity promotes suicide. At the same time, it has also been found that media may serve as a

hep c • aids • hiv • prevention • testing • treatment

34 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

protective factor against suicide risk, provided information is not presented in a sensationalist way.

The World Health Organization provides some recommendations for treating information regarding suicide in media, including reducing sensationalism; avoiding front-cover placement; and never glorifying the person who committed suicide. Describing the physical consequences of suicide attempts (brain damage, spinal injuries, paralysis, etc.) may serve as a deterrent, but it should be handled with respect and without sensationalism.

It is very important that news related to suicide include information about how to prevent it, like a list of mental health services or telephone numbers to contact in case of suicidal thinking.

Once we develop an awareness of both risk and protective factors for suicide, we can take action within our community to try to minimize the former and help encouraging the latter.

Additionally, if we suspect that someone in our environment may be going through a crisis or belongs to one of the risk groups mentioned above, we can identify certain telling signs so we may try to help and prevent before a suicide is attempted.

A person considering suicide may have these traits: >> Often talks about death.

When faced with these messages, we should try to talk to the person and make her feel we’re listening. We have to provide a safe space where she can talk about her feelings, and repress the impulse to make our own remarks or contradict her. We should only listen, without reproach or judgement about what we’re hearing. A person on the brink of suicide or considering it needs someone to make her feel safe and not allow her to be alone.

Even if we are not mental health professionals and are not going to provide a treatment, there are some questions that we can pose if we suspect a person is going through a crisis. They will provide us with information about her problems and make her feel more comfortable confiding in us. We can ask whether she:

>> Suffers or has suffered depression.

>> Is feeling sad and lonely.

>> Has troubles eating or sleeping.

>> Feels desperate.

>> Is always sad or has lost interest in things that were

>> Feels unable to carry on with her daily duties.

important before. >> Shows risky, “death wish” behaviour, such as speedy driving, skipping red lights or ignoring traffic signs. >> Comments about feeling desperate or unworthy. >> Tries to “tie loose ends”: meeting people she hasn’t seen for a while to say goodbye, changing the last will and testament, etc. >> Remarks about how other people would do better without her. >> Talks openly about suicide or wishing to die. >> Has suddenly gone from showing a deep sadness to seeming calm and at peace. >> Severs ties with others, or has gradually lost them. >> Is suffering due to illness or acute physical pain.

>> Feels life is a burden. >> Thinks life isn’t worth living. >> Thinks about suicide.

Of course, we shouldn’t just be a passive listener. Whether we suspect that she is going through a crisis or she has confirmed she is considering suicide, it’s important that we try to go with her to see a professional to receive hope and care.

Most of all, we should never underestimate what we can do for a person we care about. If we raise awareness about the problem, pay attention to our environment and listen without judging, we can really help someone who is going through a very hard time.

If you or someone you love needs help, call the Vancouver Island Crisis line at 1-888-494-3888 or the crisis line nearest you.

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n r o C ’s w e r A nd

er

AN UNEXPECTED COMPANION FINDING HEALING AMONGST THE THORNS

By T. L. Alton

S

TANDING IN A THICKET OF blackberry canes, I look down to see where the thorns have dug into my pale skin, strokes of crimson leaving their mark on my arms and legs. If I move in any direction, I am bound to be pierced repeatedly. My eyes turn to a distant cluster of ripened blackberries—the indigo pulp is ample with a tartness that yearns to dance off my tongue. I marvel at the paradox; that consumption of these berries helps aid in the thickening of the blood. Given the nature of my abrasions, it would be wise to eat a few. If only I could reach them.

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Careful to map out my exit, I am walloped with the similarities of the moment and how it compares to my grief journey. Something so alluring, so full of goodness, it would bring joy to me, yet is ensnared by my angst of not being able to take hold of it. Over the years, I yearned to move forward, only to find myself stifled by the environment. Now, standing in an overgrowth of thorns, my attention is focused on release. I see a way out of the blackberry stalks. With a watchful eye on the nearest cluster of nature’s barbed wire, my hand reaches for the shears.

With a rapid slice, I witness the demise of something that had once overtaken me.

This confrontation makes me reflect on the passing of my daughter, which has seen bereavement place a wet imprint on my pillow, countless times.

In the beginning, when others inquired about my loss, I invaded people’s space by easily heaving my shattered existence into theirs, without consideration for their feelings. Those who cared to ask how she died would be reduced to a standing, immobile pillar of tears. I thrust a barrage of words upon them—car crash, brain damage, blood loss—as if I had recited the lyrics of a death metal song.

My wrath was also inflicted upon the road and reservoir at McKinley Landing near Kelowna, BC. In 2011, my 21-year-old daughter, Shayla Driver, died there in a car accident.

The feelings I felt were not solely the result of the loss of my only child; years earlier, I had been diagnosed as bipolar. Additionally, as a result of my obsessing with safety changes to the road to prevent more deaths from happening, I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. One distant family member predicted I would take my own life before the new year, believing I could not survive Shayla’s passing. Many more untruths would be hurled into my blackberry thicket, and my efforts to untangle them saw me gradually shear away the thorns that had caused me misery.

My healing began when within the folds of my sorrow, a mustard seed of hope bloomed into a cause I created for my daughter. After Shayla died, I found a velvet bag of pebbles, crystals and gemstones in her winter jacket.

Wrapped around them was a tattered note I had written her several years earlier. I saw this as Shayla’s way of saying she always carried me with her, and I decided I would do the same. I started the Heart Pebble Movement, which has seen over 300 pebbles released all over the world to honour her. For me, the gem I found came through writing a blog for several years. The serendipitous moments of letting go brought a procession of closure.

Last year, at Saanich Baptist Church, I was introduced to GriefShare, a faith-based support group for those grieving the loss of a loved one. After finishing the course and speaking with others who were part of the program, I was asked to facilitate 15-week sessions.

Through a series of videos, open discussions and a journal—specifically created for those mourning the death of someone—this support group aims to assist those seeking healing. It is open to people with all types of experiences with bereavement, and focuses on an adult setting.

Over the past five years, I have been asked numerous questions about the death of my daughter. Now in my life, replacing grief is my role of sharing my life as an overcomer.

If I could take a snapshot of my heart, it would show a break that occurred on December 12, 2011. However, patching up the fault line is the compassion of those who took part in the movement for Shayla. Uniting my loss and closure is the nearly half a million dollars awarded for safety changes on part of McKinley Road. Within each stitch holds the friendships of those who cared for me at my worst, their loyalty weaved in. Enveloping my heart is the faith I have carried with me: an invisible shield that sees me rise like a warrior, putting on my full armour for serving others.

On New Year’s Eve, 2015, at a pier in Sidney, BC, I did my last release. I tossed back into the ocean Shayla’s rose quartz heart stone—which was found with her when she passed. The release symbolized my acceptance of her dying and surrounded me with her unconditional love.

While in the thickets of my grief, I still feel the occasional thorn, yet now I have found the greatest joy in the midst of moving forward and helping others.

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LEAVE OUT VIOLENCE

A LEGACY OF LOVE

By Cassie Hooker

S

HEILA TWINKLE RUDBERG KNOWS, FIRST HAND,

(LOVE) in 1993, her first purpose was to take on the pro-

the importance of changing one’s frame of mind.

liferation of violence in popular media, working toward

In 1972, her husband, Daniel Rudberg, was stabbed

an overall reduction and raising awareness of the effect

to death by a 14-year-old gang member after coming to

of media-based violence on the psychological well-

the aid of an elderly woman being assaulted in down-

being of our youth. From there, her natural next

town Montreal. Violence is never a simple mat-

step was to look for a way to reach out to at-risk

ter, though, and there are often more victims than are obvious at first glance. During his trial,

youth, and help them counter the violence in their lives. As the Italian Renaissance writer Niccolo Machia-

the youth’s history of gang activity and drug abuse

velli once said, “There is nothing more difficult to take in

came to light. Rudberg began to see him as a victim

hand or more perilous to conduct…than to take the lead

himself.

in the introduction of a new order of things.” Perhaps it is

When Rudberg ultimately founded Leave Out ViolencE

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simpler to say, to paraphrase Mahatma Gandhi, that one

should be the change one wishes to see in the

performing, photography, videography, and the creation

world. Since its inception in 1993, LOVE has given

of public service announcements and community pres-

countless youths the skills and confidence needed

entations.

to effect real change in their lives and in their communities.

LEADERSHIP CAMP:

The organization was founded on the belief that all of

Every year, an intensive Leadership Camp brings together

these at-risk youths are not only inherently capable of

Youth Leaders from across Canada to enhance the skills

changing the paths of their own lives, but are also ca-

they learned in the Leadership Training Program. They

pable of working toward creating safer environments by

then take these skills home with them, to be used in their

becoming personally invested in their communities. It

schools and greater communities.

certainly makes sense that those at the heart of the probsociety views and reacts to violence, whether it comes in

SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY VIOLENCE PREVENTION OUTREACH:

the form of abuse, gang-related violence or as part of the

LOVE’s Youth Leaders work in schools and neighbour-

drug culture among the younger generation.

hoods with greater-than-average numbers of at-risk

lem should be the ones best suited to change the way

From its beginnings in Montreal, LOVE has spread

youth. In addition to educating these communities in the

across Canada to include chapters in Vancouver, Toronto

causes and consequences of violence, they use their skill-

and Halifax, and it reaches at-risk youths through a num-

set to help provide realistic prevention strategies.

ber of social and outreach programs, such as Media Arts,

Changing the world is no easy task. To achieve their de-

Leadership Training, Leadership Camp, and School and

sired results, LOVE is largely run by volunteers and relies

Community Violence Prevention Outreach.

on financial support from local and provincial governments, participating businesses, charitable foundations

MEDIA ARTS PROGRAM (MAP):

and organizations, and individual donors. They also hap-

Youth from alternative schools, group homes and var-

pily receive in-kind support from businesses offering the

ious outreach organizations can use different forms of

services and goods necessary to keep LOVE running. With

media arts (such as photography, music and journalism)

so much still to be accomplished in making the world a

to both document the violence occurring in their lives

safer place, organizations like LOVE have an important job

and help create realistic solutions. The principle of this

to do: leaving out violence, one at-risk youth at a time.

program is that, by giving these youth a voice, LOVE empowers them to make positive changes in their own neighbourhoods.

Learn more about LOVE at leaveoutviolence.org.

If you are interested in making a donation to LOVE British Columbia, please call 1-604-709-

LEADERSHIP TRAINING:

5728 or email vancouver@leaveoutviolence.org.

Those who participate in MAP have the opportunity to

If you would like to become a

enter into the Leadership Training Program. Here, youth

volunteer, please email

can develop the skills and confidence to become Youth

Jennifer Sarkar at jen-

Leaders in LOVE’s Community Violence Prevention Team.

nifer@leaveoutvio-

Through membership with the team, these participants

lence.org.

will reach thousands of young people and inspire them to take positive action in making their community safer.

The training program includes lessons in public speaking,

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