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Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - Issue 6 // www.thesputnik.ca
News 2 On Campus 4 Features 6 Arts & Culture 8 Sports 10 Opinion 12
MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE Partnership with Laurier likely page 3
Stress survival guide for students page 6
The mental side of sports page 10
Use your voice in a positive way page 12
Brantfords Farmers’ Market Open year round . Friday 7am - 5pm . Saturday 7am - 2pm Laurier Students get 10% discount Located close to Laurier downtown campus & residences . 79 Icomm Drive
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The Sputnik
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
News Taylor Berzins | news@thesputnik.ca | @sputnik_news
Dave Neumann
Che Topsy, the supervisor of St James’s bookstore, felt helpless in the face of the trend of “free e-textbooks.” (Photo courtesy of Dora Liu / The Dialog)
$1 textbooks an alluring, illegal option Dora Liu The Dialog (George Brown College) TORONTO (CUP) — While Amazon’s new promotion is offering six months of unlimited free two-day shipping for Canadian post-secondary students, its target — university and college students — have found another good deal for their textbooks. These days, students know where they can find free PDF versions of their textbooks on the internet. Some of the upcoming e-book websites like bookboon.com have pledged that they can provide legal free download of e-books and e-textbooks to the public. However, this free e-textbook trend is still not overwhelmingly popular among students in Canada. “It’s just because the sources are very limited and the PDF version is not good for marking,” said Ryan, a student in the culinary management—nutrition program and a seasoned free e-textbook user who
prefers not to disclose his last name. Nonetheless, recently a vast source of these books has come from China. The most successful online shopping platform is from China, called taobao.com (meaning treasure hunt in Chinese). It has been revealed as having numerous online book shops that sell books at an unbelievably good price. For example, the George Brown College (GBC) Chef School bible — the Professional Cooking 7th edition — sells for $145.88 in the GBC bookstore. On taobao.com, the PDF version only costs RMB 5 in Chinese currency which is equal to 89 cents Canada; with no tax and no shipping cost. The bookshop will email the book directly to you once you’ve paid, which is far more efficient than free, two-day shipping time. To understand the incredibly wellpriced e-books, I acted as a customer and had a live chat with someone in customer service from one of their bookshops on Sep. 19. I requested to buy the “Understanding
Food Science and Technology” book which is not found in its store. The customer service representative said, “if you cannot find it in our bookshop, you just go to amazon. com; if they have the Kindle version, you come tell me and I will find that book for you. If they do not have it, then sorry, we can’t help.” I took Ryan’s last term textbooks list as a target, five books, only one couldn’t be found on Taobao.com. Heather Buffett, the copyright and open access librarian at GBC admitted that she has seen some of the GBC course books or manuals listed in some of the websites for free download, but she has never heard of Taobao.com. However, Buffett stated clearly, “if I bought a book from the bookstore and I scanned it and then I put it online, I don’t have permission to do that from the publisher or from the author, or anyone that has any sort of controls over it; and then I either sell it or hand it out for free, that is illegal. The person who also purchases that copy or just downloads it, that is also (do-
ing something) illegal.” Buffett said she had requested the websites to remove the unauthorized e-textbooks, but GBC has never sued anyone or any website as far as she knows. “It takes time for lawsuit procedures. We consider the cost. For the students who use photocopies or illegal e-books, all we can do is ask them to not do it. We have no right to arrest anyone, or to seize anyone’s belongings,” said Buffett. It’s the same situation for the GBC bookstore. “We cant do anything. It’s the problem of the publishers or authors,” said Che Topsy, supervisor at the St James campus bookstore. I asked Ryan and six of his classmates separately, “will you try Taobao.com?” Each of them firmly said “yes.” “Why not? It just like everyone downloading music illegally on the internet.,” said Hilary Cowdrey. “If I can save a lot of money from my textbook expenses, I will do it.”
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Wednesday, October 22, 2014
The Sputnik
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News Taylor Berzins | news@thesputnik.ca | @sputnik_news
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Layla Bozich eic@thesputnik.ca PHOTO EDITOR Cody Hoffman photography@thesputnik.ca ART EDITOR Neha Sekhon visual@thesputnik.ca WEB EDITOR Dylan Kellendonk web@thesputnik.ca COPY EDITORS Hannah Brunsdon Roberto Belardi SECTION EDITORS Taylor Berzins - News Now hiring! - On Campus Karly Rath - Features Dillon Giancola - Arts & Culture Kyle Morrison - Sports Brittany Bennett - Opinion CONTRIBUTORS Josh Adesina Jacob Dearlove Anthony Fusco Christopher Kunkel Julian Panchaud Nadine Saba Miles Smith WLUSP BRANTFORD 202-171 Colborne St. Brantford, ON N3T 2C9 (519) 756-8228 ext, 5948
MANAGER OF OPERATIONS Nathanael Lewis nathanael.lewis@wlusp.com
PRESIDENT Dani Saad (519) 884-0710 ext. 3565 dani.saad@wlusp.com ADVERTISING Tammy Rowe (519) 884-0719 ext. 3560 trowe@wlu.ca The Sputnik is a member of the Ontario Press Council, which is an independent ethical organization established to deal with editorial concerns. For additional information or to file a complaint, contact info@ontpress.com or call 416-340-1981. The Sputnik is an editorially independent newspaper published by Wilfrid Laurier University Student Publications (WLUSP) WLUSP Head Office 205 Regina Street Waterloo, Ontario N2J 3C5 The Sputnik is a proud member of the Canadian University Press (CUP) Opinions expressed in The Sputnik are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the Editorial staff, The Sputnik, WLUSP, WLU or CanWeb Printing Inc. FRONT PAGE PHOTO CREDITS Main: Marissa White Left: Cody Hoffman Centre: Neha Sekhon Right: Marissa White
From left: Laura Duguid, Lucas Duguid, and Marc Laferriere organized Socktober at Sophia’s. (Photo by Cody Hoffman)
Socks for Brantford’s homeless Taylor Berzins News Editor Community response to Brantford’s first sock drive is exceeding coordinators’ expectations, with well over 700 pairs of socks having been brought to Sophia’s Bakery in less than a week. The media company SoulPancake first launched the initiative, dubbed Socktober, four years ago, as a means to get people of all ages actively participating in combatting plights of homelessness. The local Socktober at Sophia’s campaign provides participants the ability to donate a pair of socks to the gluten free bakery at 60 Colborne, in exchange for a sock-themed sugar cookie. Alongside socks, Socktober at Sophia’s also encourages donations of other warm garments. “We will be accepting socks, as well as scarves, gloves, hats and other items that will be of great help to those struggling during the cold months to come.” Says co-organizer Laura Duguid of Sophia’s Bakery and Café. The pile of hundreds of socks donated by community members thus far varies from intricately handmade socks and pantyhose, to industrial work socks, a diverse bounty organizers are excited to see.
According to organizers Lucas Duguid and Marc Laferriere, the plan for Brantford’s Socktober was born from a last minute text message, and a desire to broaden community discourse about homelessness. “We saw a need. We need socks, so let’s get socks,” explains organizer Lucas Duguid. “It didn’t require lots of funding, it didn’t require a board, it didn’t require permission, it was just ‘we have an idea, let’s do it.’” Brantford’s “A Community Needs Assessment on Homelessness Issues” report states that “10.1 per cent of all families in Brantford live below the Low Income Cut Off,” and in turn is at a great risk of experiencing homelessness. “I think that in this economy, a lot of people are one paycheck away from being below the poverty line, and even one paycheck away from being homeless,” says Laferriere. “Foot care is so important, especially when you live on your feet and in the elements, and don’t necessarily have access to a bath or shower regularly,” says Laferriere. “Issues that start in the feet can affect the whole body.” Plantar warts, fungal nail infections, athletes foot, trench foot and frostbite are amongst a few of the foot related ailments one can be exposed to without having the
provisions to maintain proper foot hygiene, says Joy of Sox, a not for profit organization that aims to raise awareness about the dangers of homelessness without socks. According to Laferriere, when thinking about homelessness, people do not often think about necessities as simple as socks. “Imagine life on the street being very difficult,” says Laferriere. “Now imagine that with poor foot health, imagine that with sore, cracked, drying feet that are now creating further issues, and you are ashamed of them, and you have to be on your feet all day and walk miles to the next meal program if you’re able to in the cold.” Socktober will be donating the socks collected by the initiative to Brantford’s Out of the Cold Program. Out of the Cold provides overnight shelter during the winter season for Brantford’s homeless over the age of nineteen. “We may find that this exceeds [Out of the Cold’s] needs, which is amazing,” says Lucas Duguid. “Already we’ve had some people reach out and say, ‘If you’ve got socks left over, here’s another program that could benefit from that.” The sock drive will continue at Sophia’s until Oct. 31.
Fashion show to raise funds for breast cancer research Julian Panchaud Staff The month of October signifies that Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2014 has begun around the globe. Included in the many organizations working towards the breast cancer research cause is Nina-Brie, a clothing store located at 358 King George Rd. in Brantford. According to Kristie Jordan, owner of Nina-Brie, Nina-Brie and the Brantford Golf and Country Club are hosting a fashion show as a fundraiser for breast cancer research. The fashion show will be called ‘Beautiful You’. “The meaning of ‘Beautiful You’ is that we are all beautiful women from the inside out and we have come together to celebrate friendship and support one another,” said Jordan. Breast Cancer Awareness Month has been a very important part of Canadian culture for many years, as the disease spans incredibly far and has touched the lives of a great many people. The month of October is dedicated to increasing the awareness of the symptoms and treatment for the disease, as well as raising money towards medical research. Jordan said, “We just want to give back to the community in some special way and [we] have chosen this charity to support as we have all been touched by this disease.” Breast Cancer Awareness Month has
October is dedicated to increasing awareness of the symptoms and treatment of breast cancer. (Photo by Cody Hoffman) grown into a large community effort, bringing many people together to support an important cause. ‘Beautiful You’ is one of the many events coming to Brantford. “We have come together as women to support our area’s Cancer Society, where the dollars are spent to support our immediate and surrounding area in what ever way we can,” said Jordan. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a widely known event throughout the country,
and gathering as much support as possible through fundraiser events such as ‘Beautiful You’ will expand the amount of research done on the disease greatly. The fashion show will be held on Nov. 6 at the Brantford Golf and Country Club. Tickets will be available at Nina-Brie and at the Lynden Rd. branch of Scotiabank. Students and families alike are encouraged to come out and support the cause. “Nina-Brie has been representing fashion in this area for over 26 years and we have developed a special following of valued friends and customers,” said Jordan. Nina-Brie’s reputation in the fashion community of Brantford will be a strong asset in the fundraiser towards research of the disease. The pink ribbon, the symbol adopted as the logo for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is often worn as a small accessory to show support, and are sometimes sold as fundraisers for the cause. Fundraisers involving walking and running are popular events hosted during October, and the use of the colour pink can also be spotted on illuminated buildings and on the field of the NFL. Breast cancer has the potential of affecting the lives of men as well as women. Through a variety of factors, including genetic mutations and damaging of the liver, men can develop the disease as well. Although it is more commonly found in women, it is also important to raise awareness of the impact on men.
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The Sputnik
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
The Sputnik
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On Campus Now hiring! | oncampus@thesputnik.ca | @sputnikoncampus
Laurier’s fight on the mental health front Christopher Kunkel Staff Mental health has become a topic of importance over the past few years, and Wilfrid Laurier University has acknowledged this more readily than most other Canadian universities; between their newly enacted fall reading week and other improvements such as the Blue Folder Initiative, Laurier has gained a large amount of ground in the battle for mental health awareness. Laurier understands that true momentum starts with smart leadership – which is why its administration has taken steps to ensure that professors know how to properly combat mental health illnesses when they are faced with a student afflicted by one. “Within the Dean of Students offices of both campuses, we acknowledge that we often have students who have difficulties during their time as
a student, and they need assistance,” Laurie Fosty, assistant to the Dean of Students on the Brantford campus, explains. “There are various kinds of things that you might see when a student is in distress. They might have a mental health issue that they’re struggling with or they might just be having the worst day of their life so far, but they could look like the same thing.” Professor Andrew Robinson is the co-ordinator of Laurier Brantford’s Human Rights and Human Diversity degree program, and he is pleased with this initiative. He states, “I think it’s a great thing. The way university is arranged, a lot of students suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts – not necessarily because of school but by the background stuff.” He keeps his Blue Folder – a simple, stock-card sheet with a list of symptoms and the appropriate persons to
contact when a student of his comes to him for help – on his desk in the event any pertinent situation arises. “Part of the benefit of university is learning how to deal with time management, multi-tasking and meeting deadlines, but that also generates a great deal of stress,” Robinson says as he reflects on what many students come to him seeking advice for. “I am not sure how you can have one without the other – so these kinds of initiatives that try to look out for those students who are suffering or experiencing extreme effects of stress are important; we can’t not make university challenging, but to say ‘It’s not our problem’ would be wrong as well.” Fosty would like to remind professors and staff, “If anyone is missing their Blue Folder, they should contact the Dean of Students office, and we can make sure they are sent one. And for staff and faculty that have multi-
campus responsibilities, they can have two – one for Brantford and one for Waterloo.” “Laurier has made a commitment to getting better awareness amongst the staff and faculty as to what mentalhealth illness is and how to support students and reduce stigma,” Fosty states. She further explains that many faculty members and student-staff personnel also receive Applied Suicide Intervention Training (ASIST) and SafeTalk – programs that aim to provide ‘suicide first aid’ knowledge for those who may encounter at-risk individuals. To students hoping to learn more about these programs or ways to help others with mental-health illnesses, Fosty says, “Keep reading your emails. Watch for the opportunities. We will set up training for staff and will often have open seats available for other students.”
Student Food Bank serves sandwiches to students Taylor Berzins News Editor Laurier Brantford’s Student Food Bank cracked out their grills on Tuesday for the first time this year, to hand out free grilled cheese sandwiches to eager students. Kathleen Bee, Laurier Brantford’s Student Food Bank coordinator, says the group anticipated anywhere from two to three hundred or more students gearing up for grilled cheese in the Student Centre’s Multi-Purpose Room. With pop music blasting, and smiles on their faces, Food Bank volunteers were excited to represent their organization on campus. Samantha West, who is volunteering with the Student Food Bank for the first time this year, says she was “excited” to be participating in her second event with the group. According to Bee, the club now has 20 members, including executives, operating to provide Laurier Brantford students with access to food and other necessities when they are in need. The Student Food Bank provides
Kathleen Bee is excited to be giving Laurier Brantford students grilled cheese sandwiches. (Photo by Taylor Berzins)
students a venue to acquire access to food and toiletries, by filling out anonymous food request forms. The Student Food Bank will then provide requesters a duffle bag filled with enough food to last a week. According to Bee, the food bank is available to all students, and is a resource in place for anyone, from those
who cannot afford food any longer, to those who are too overwhelmed by school to make it out to the grocery store. Bee says that alongside the provision of non-perishable goods, the Student Food Bank can also provide requesters with Freshco gift cards to help students acquire fresh produce,
or other items the Student Food Bank may not currently have the facilities to maintain. The events hosted by the Student Food Bank this year, like ice cream sundaes and the RCW Food Drive, were organized throughout the summer, says Bee, in which she and a group reviewed what had worked, and what could be improved upon from last year’s initiatives. “It’s fun to interact with all of the students,” says Bee, explaining that events like the Grilled Cheese Day act as a tool to get students aware of the Student Food Bank and all that it has to offer. “Students are aware of the food bank,” says Bee. “Just less aware of all that we offer in our food request services.” The Student Food Bank will be hosting Halloween for Hunger this weekend, and anticipate a large haul of food, as the Brantford community is generally very receptive to this event.
Girls’ basketball team raising money for tournaments Kyle Morrison Sports Editor In their second year of existence, the Laurier Brantford girls’ basketball team has gone from club to competitive extramural team. “Last year we just played Fanshawe once, and then this year we have two tournaments,” explains Carly Schmidt, a member of the girls’ basketball team. However, with that comes costs. If the team wants to enter tournaments, it isn’t exactly cheap. Firstly, they need to pay for transportation to and from the universities and colleges where tournaments are held and entrance fees range in the hundreds of dollars. To pay for all of the team’s costs, this past Tuesday, Schmidt and teammate Victoria Pappas organized a bake sale in the lobby of Laurier Brantford’s Odeon building. Every possible baked good was on display;
from brownies to delicious chocolate chunk cookies and muffins. “This is our first fundraiser of the year … we’re taking any donations,” Schmidt says. “We have a bake sale on Thursday and that’s all we have for now, but I’m sure there will be others.” With the girls’ first tournament coming up on Oct. 31, these donations and any bake sale purchases will definitely be helpful. If you’re in the Odeon sometime this week, look for Schmidt and Pappas in the lobby.
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Carly Schmidt and teammate Victoria Pappas selling baked goods for the girls’ basketball team. They will be in the Odeon building lobby through Thursday, Oct. 23. (Photo by Kyle Morrison)
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The Sputnik
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Features Karly Rath | features@thesputnik.ca | @sputnikfeatures
Putting a face to a bipolar disorder Karly Rath Features Editor Hillary Verardi is a bold, bubbly beautiful YouTuber who usually posts videos reviewing the latest eye shadow palette or a tutorial on waterproof makeup. But recently, Verardi used her channel, Putabowon, to open up about her current depressive low. Shedding some tears on camera, Verardi bravely bares her soul to reduce the stigma of mental illness. Up until two weeks ago, Verardi, 24, had hidden her bipolar disorder from everyone except her immediate family because of the harsh stereotypes people attach to the diagnosis. “My biggest pet peeve is when people use bipolar as an insult and assume that they’re ‘crazy’ and can’t lead a normal life,” she said. Even though she must sometimes face “uncontrollable crying” and feeling “trapped, isolated and deflated”, she has graduated Laurier with a bachelor of arts, earned a post-graduate certificate in Integrated Marketing Communications at Conestoga College, and even started her own communications business. “Having a mental illness doesn’t make you any less of a person. We can all live fulfilling and rewarding lives if we work hard at it,” she said. Verardi explains that she has bipolar II disorder which differs from bipolar I disorder by not having psychosis or mania and her depressive lows are quite often. On the other hand, her ‘highs’, officially called hypomania, are rarer and consist of high energy and spontaneity. “I’m not ashamed of what my diagnosis is. Yes, it’s an extra obstacle to deal with, but I’m pretty proud with how I’ve been able to manage it.” Since being diagnosed four years ago,
Verardi has taken anti-depression, antianxiety and anti-psychosis medication to help but treatment has many more levels. Verardi meditates, goes to therapy and practices Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Simply put, this is a therapy that helps people become aware of their emotions and choose coping mechanisms effectively. Verardi also keeps a journal, mood chart and an anonymous mental health blog. Every fall season, Verardi hits a depressive low due to the changes in her life whether that be starting a new year at school or moving to a new home. Verardi volunteers with Partners for Mental Health by attending support groups for people whose loved ones have a bipolar disorder. She also promotes their campaigns on her strong social media platforms, and, of course, corrects people when they say mental illness slurs or offensive terms. After she released her video called “Not Myself Today – This Is Depression”, Verardi received “amazing support” from her friends, family and mental health community. “A lot of people have told me that I’ve provided them with the confidence and courage to not be ashamed of their mental health diagnosis,” she said. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canadian Mental Health Association and Partners for Mental Health retweeted her video and Canadian Olympic medalist and Bell Let’s Talk spokesperson, Clara Hughes, even tweeted her. “What I want people to understand about what I’m going through is that it’s not my fault and that there’s way more people than they may think that have a mental health diagnosis.” Feeling depressed, not just sad, is not a choice. “[If depression was a choice], I would
Laurier alumni Hillary Verardi (24) shares her story about having bipolar II disorder. (Photo courtesy of Hillary Verardi) choose happiness. I would choose joy. I would choose the typical person that I am.” Verardi hopes that one day people feel comfortable talking about mental health without awkwardness or shame.
In her video on her beauty channel, Verardi apologizes to her audience for not wearing makeup and diverting away from ‘beauty’. But if you ask anyone who has seen it, I am sure they would tell you that this is her most beautiful video yet.
A stress survival guide for Laurier students Karly Rath Features Editor With the temperature rapidly dropping, the chaos of classes, and the complexity of human relationships, it is no surprise students are feeling a bit high-strung. Fourth-year student Miranda Small has been “overwhelmed with stress” lately. Small, 21, is trying to balance her school
work “while also finding the time to take care of my house, do my laundry, cook, find time for my girlfriend and friends, and try to keep the peace with my family”. Small goes to counselling to help but also likes to de-stress by temporarily escaping reality by immersing herself in a book or movie. Even though the issues have to be dealt with at some point, Small said, “you can
pass your burden off for a little while, set it aside, and just pay attention to something pleasant.” Matt Fletcher, 19, said, “The best thing that helps me calm down is spending time on my own. Whether that is going for a walk in the park, watching some of my favourite TV shows or playing video games, alone time is always a welcome thing.” But Fletcher also sees the value in reaching out
LET NATURE TAKE ITS COURSE
GET PHYSICAL
(Photo courtesy of Sebastian Grünwald / Wikimedia Commons)
LET LOOSE • Laugh! Watch some comedy, get tickled, or do laughter yoga, a form of self-induced laughter. • Sing obnoxiously loud to your favourite song. • Rekindle a hobby you have been neglecting – dust off that instrument, solve a puzzle or pick up a paintbrush. • Dance in whatever way that feels good. • Scream without alarming your roommates. Scream into your pillow. You may feel crazy but it can’t hurt trying.
• Find sexual release – whether it’s through (safe and healthy!) sex or masturbation. • Do some yoga, especially some inverted poses like downward dog – the blood flow helps your body relax. • Go for a run, jog or walk along the trail by the Grand River. • Hug a friend, cuddle your pet or kiss your significant other. • Considering another coffee? Instead, take a power nap.
(Photo courtesy of Robert Bejil / Wikimedia Commons)
to the people he is close with to help deal with stress. “If it’s a really tough time, talking to someone helps me through it,” Fletcher said. Whether it is by yourself or with others, take a look at this diverse list of suggestions of things (usually free) you can do to chill out, ease your mind and relax your body.
(Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
GET YOUR MIND IN CHECK • Meditate. It’s harder than it sounds. Reflect on the past, rid yourself of the present, or contemplate the future. • If you are religious or spiritual, reach out, praise or pray. • Inexpensive scent therapy. Light some incense or a scented candle, or even cut a lemon • Curl up with a book (that is not an assigned reading!). • Talk to a professional. Seeking counselling or medical help for a potential mental illness could help you more than you know.
• Stuck inside studying? Open your window for some fresh air and natural light. Soak up some vitamin D. • Sip some tea. A Japanese study of nearly 50,000 people found that green tea greatly reduced stress. • Watch the clouds transform the sky and let your imagination drift. • Get a house plant. Studies show indoor plants can improve productivity in offices. • Go stargazing. You can even get a free app like SkyView that tells you what constellations and planets you are looking at.
(Photo by Cody Hoffman)
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
The Sputnik
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Features Karly Rath | features@thesputnik.ca | @sputnikfeatures
The double stigma:
The perceptions of sex offenders
If a sex offender has a mental illness, he or she is stigamatized twofold. (Photo by Layla Bozich)
Nadine Saba Staff Stephen Collins is the last person Brendan Noël expected to make headlines this year. The actor, known for his role as Rev. Eric Camden on the television show 7th Heaven, is being investigated for allegations of the sexual abuse of minors. Before hearing the allegations, when fourth-year student Noël watched the show he said he saw Collins as a “moral compass”. His opinion has since changed. “It’s going to be hard to watch the show and look to his character as someone to look up to,” Noël said. As soon as we hear a person committed a sexual offence against a minor, we make judgments and assumptions about the offender. But let us try to understand the complexity of sex offences and whether mental illness is a factor. Stacey Hannem, program coordinator and professor of criminology at Laurier Brantford, said the causes of sex offending are varied which makes it difficult to make generalizations about the causes of particular incidents. Prof. Hannem’s past research work looked at Circles of Support
“If you just lock up someone who’s been a sex offender and you don’t deal with the underlying causes they will eventually get out again and when they [do] they will reoffend”
and Accountability, a post-sentence re-integration program for released sex offenders. “I’ve known a lot of convicted sex offenders who may or may not have been pedophiles … who certainly had social anxiety around sexuality and around interactions with adult women,” Prof. Hannem said. “Some of these people I have known have suffered from clinical depression [and] there are a range of mental wellness issues that affect the population more broadly and certainly aren’t confined to sex offending … but they’re
know more and learn more rather than passing any judgment … or trying to ignore or push away the problem,” Noël said. “I think that happens a lot in mental health and I think that’s not the direction we need to move in.” Prof. Lavoie said mentally-ill people generally face a lot of barriers such as requiring social services and support that may not even be available. “There’s a double stigma … you have someone who has committed a very heinous crime plus they have the added stigma of being mentally
“The DSM has a category of pedophilia and it is understood to be a mental illness ... it gets complicated because not all people who offend against children are pedophiles” not [necessarily] causes of sex offending.” “Our natural inclination to be sympathetic to the victim sometimes makes it difficult to look objectively at what are the causes and how to best address those,” Prof. Hannem said. “[This leads to] a lot of demand for very harsh sentences, longer sentences … and very little consideration given to what are the underlying causes and how do we address that … to prevent people from becoming victims.” Jennifer Lavoie, a criminology professor at Laurier Brantford, said stigma is a big factor in the complexity of the subject of mental illness. “A lot of studies tell us that the amount of stigma that the public has around mental illness hasn’t changed that much in the last couple of decades,” Prof. Lavoie said. Noël said he would like to learn more about mental health because of the stigmas attached to it. “I would be much more interested in wanting to
ill,” said Prof. Lavoie. “People might conclude that they are not treatable or they can’t be successful, that they have an unmanageable risk if they were released into the community.” The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) provides criteria for classifying mental disorders. “The DSM has a category of pedophilia and it is understood to be a mental illness ... it gets complicated because not all people who offend against children are pedophiles,” Prof. Hannem said. “This is where you get this very complex combination of social and mental factors that play together.” Prof. Hannem said examining the root causes of sexual offenses are necessary in understanding and effectively responding to sexual offences. “If those root causes are related to mental illness then … an effective and comprehensive approach is going to involve mental health treatment and
“Just because an individual has a mental illness does not mean they are dangerous or unpredictable” part of that means having the community get on board with understanding that prison shouldn’t just be about locking people up, that we actually need to be doing something to try and deal with the behaviour,” Prof. Hannem said. “Because if you just lock up someone who’s been a sex offender and you don’t deal with the underlying causes they will eventually get out again and when they [do] they will reoffend.” Prof. Lavoie said assuming people who have a mental illness are immoral or criminal reinforces the stigma. “Just because an individual has a mental illness does not mean they are dangerous or unpredictable,” Prof. Lavoie said. “In fact, their likelihood of engaging in violent behaviour is negligible. They are more likely to be victimized by crime. There is more to the story than the just the diagnosis.”
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The Sputnik
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Arts & Culture Dillon Giancola | arts@thesputnik.ca | @sputnikarts
Mental health: Sympathy for the celebrity, ridicule for the rest Dillon Giancola A&C Editor Celebrities are treated differently than regular people. That is nothing new and like it or not, most of us kind of accept it as just the way it is. I do not really see anything wrong with that for the most part. If you grow up watching a particular actor and look to him somehow, that is fine. If a particular celebrity or athlete wants to give back his or her riches to those in need, than that is good on them. They should be congratulated. Where the disconnect lies though in all of this, is when we forget that they are still just normal people like everyone else. Most of them started off as we all did, going to school, without fame or money. But we expect them to be different and not have the same problems as us. And when they do, then we often make excuses for them, that is if they are beloved. If they are a “trashy”, almost joke of a celebrity than the ridicule doesn’t stop. This double standard most rears its head in regards to mental health. When a person like Robin Williams
“We need to look at ourselves, and see how we can start the change we want to see.”
Downloading music for free is actually illegal. (Photo by Christina Manocchio)
dies as a result of suicide and depression no-less, the world was in mourning and for good reason. So many of us had grown up watching his movies and laughing along no matter what was going on in our lives, and to see someone who looked so happy have this end to life was especially sobering. It opened up a two-week-long discussion of the reality of suicide, and recognizing similar suffering in our
loved ones. Did Williams give up on life, or was he so far gone that he was barely even conscious of his decision? Regardless of where we fell on the topic, we did not look at him in ridicule. Very few remarks were heard of people criticizing Williams for acting selfish or for not sucking it up. However tragic, these events contribute greatly, I believe, to the understanding of mental health in North America. But that is not the only side to the case of mental health and the celebrity. Lindsay Lohan. Michael Jackson. Amanda Bynes. Metta World Peace. Amy Winehouse. Some of these celebrities are loved, others not; some are alive, and some are no longer with us. But what this group of people have in common is that the majority of public opinions about them and their struggles, be it with mental health, addiction, or other, were overwhelmingly negative. Let’s be honest: we love Michael Jackson’s music, but we do not sympathize with the struggles he had. Whatever made him bleach his skin white, possibly engage in questionable activities with children, or overdose on drugs, our first thought of him is not that of a celebrity struggling with disease and affliction. Rather we think of clever punchlines, although sure, we think it’s too bad that is all he amounted to. Is it enough to say that Robin Williams was viewed differently because he was loved, while these others were not loved, and thus were not or have not been treated with sympathy? Perhaps we should consider what lies behind our opinions of these people. After-all, they are all celebrities because at some point a lot of people liked them and thought they were great people. I think the difference depends on whether or not their struggles were played out in front of our eyes. Were we reading about them constantly in People Magazine or
TMZ? Or, like Williams, did we really have no idea he was struggling? Sure if we were paying attention, we might have known that Robin Williams had depression, and might have even had times where his struggles were shown in public. Yet for whatever reason, they were swept under the rug and not really talked about. On the other hand, nobody had a problem with Lindsay Lohan in Mean Girls. She was awesome; she was the first Emma Stone. That is of course until she wasn’t. Then we all couldn’t stand her, could not identify with her seeming change in personality and life-choices. Spend some time considering that point, and see if you agree. You might be able to find some exceptions, but I think the majority of examples play out this way. But what does this say about society? We want more openness in mental health, and we want less stigmas attached to depression and suicide, and rightfully so. We as a people desperately need this, and it is getting better every year, no matter how slowly. But we need to look at ourselves, and see how we can start the change we want to see. Instead of complaining or laughing about the celebrity throwing a tantrum in public,
“Instead of complaining or laughing about a celebrity throwing a tantrum in public, show empathy at what fame can do to people.” show empathy at what fame can do to people. Let’s at least try to reserve judgement for people and situations we do not know or understand. Instead of telling your friend to stop being so angry or depressed, talk to them, and ask them what’s wrong. Show them a better way to deal with their emotions, ask if they want help. These are not easy changes to induce, but what matters is that the effort is made. The awareness is out there, that part of the process is doing great. What needs to come next is the individual responses both to people they know and those they don’t, be they celebrities or not. No longer do we need to look at society’s response to mental health as negative. We just need to stay positive and continue the fight. No longer do we need to criticize Hollywood like it is our job, nor do we need to hold celebrities on the highest of pedestals. We are all humans, living on the same earth, going through the same problems, dealing with the same emotions and diseases. Let’s start acting like it.
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Wednesday, October 22, 2014
The Sputnik
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Arts & Culture Dillon Giancola | arts@thesputnik.ca | @sputnikarts
Hollywood, our old friend Miles Smith Staff What is Hollywood really? Is it the big brother that comforts us when we feel down and out, or is it the school bully, pointing out our flaws and magnifying them to a humorous degree? Personally, I see Hollywood as a teenager going through puberty. Something that is constantly evolving and changing. At first, its view on tender issues, sexuality, family relationships, and namely mental health was shallow and often times cruel. However, as it reached its major changing point in the new millennia it began to develop a bit more subtlety and concern towards its audience. Now don’t misunderstand me. Hollywood, like anyone, has its relapses into a shallow mentality (Transformers, I’m looking at you). But that is not what defines it. In this instance, I would have to say art reflects life. As Hollywood has grown so has the general society perspective. As new-millennia movies are released that are more compassionate towards the complex issue of mental health, we see a strong parallel in societal group-thought. If we look at two examples: Fight Club and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind we see very distinct differences. Both films are excellent and cult classics at that, but they take a very different approach to the mental health addressed in the film. Spoiler alert, but you have had upwards of 10 years to
“2004 was the year when the World Health Organization came forward, announcing that depression was the leading cause of disability from ages 15 to 44. This announcement brought mental health into the spotlight, and therefore into the media. “ see them. Fight Club, released in 1999 uses the disorder in the movie (Dissociative Disorder) as more of a means to an end, to further the plot. They briefly dive into the character’s psyche, but
Hollywood, like anyone, has its relapses into a shallow mentality. But that is not what defines it. (Art by Neha Sekhon)
again, only to give his motivation and further the plot in general. If we look at the societal parallel in 1999, we see societal change in preparation for the coming year, whether it be for Y2K or for the advance in technology. We also see the shifting of allies and power on a large scale, which made a portion of the populous uneasy. Now if we look at Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, released in 2004, shows a much subtler, more adult portrayal of mental health issues. It introduces the disorder (Depression and Retrograde Amnesia) in a softer light, and lets them simmer throughout the story rather than making them a leading plot device. As opposed to stereotyping the illness (something much more popular in the 80s), it humanizes it, adding an aspect of relation that otherwise would not have been present. If we look at the societal parallel in 2004, although we see many technological advances on account of “war time”, we see many more cultural ad-
vances within countries, further moving forward group thought. Also, 2004 was the year when the World Health Organization came forward, announcing that depression was the leading cause of disability from ages 15 to 44. This announcement brought mental health into the spotlight, and therefore into the media. I could go on and on with the examples, to further solidify the point, however that would make this ar-
“Some people still see fault in the way that mental health is portrayed in movies, and they have just reason to, however the fault for ignorance is not theirs, it is ours. ” ticle much longer. Instead, I will conclude with a commonly debated issue among critics of all mediums: does art reflect life, or life reflect art. There are strongly posed arguments for both sides. However, after watching roughly 15 movies scattered along the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, I can firmly say that in the case of cinema art reflects life, consciously or subconsciously. Hollywood continues to grow, even now. With such films being released as The Fault in Our Stars and If I Stay which continue to gently tug and prod at the issues with mental health and general society groupthink. These movies have reached a completely new style to their 90s predecessors, offering a calmer and subtler (almost overlooked) viewpoint on the issue. In regards to The Fault in Our Stars, it offers a calm, non-stereotyped look into the emotional roadblocks of having cancer. The fact that it is not stereotypes already offers a critical leg-up comparatively to its 90s predecessor, but it is the ability to navigate the socio-emotional minefield without caus-
ing extreme public unrest that gives it the edge to the millennia counterpart. Even films like Lucy, which do not particularly explore mental health namely, dive into the questions often asked about the mind, doing scientific research and background research and providing the best answer it can give at the time. Although this one is a bit of a cop-out, it still explores the mind, which was a rarely touched and researched topic. Very rarely did the films of the 90s actually go in depth with research to create a three dimensional character. The mind is no longer a mystery, only to be pondered by scientists, it is questioned by writers, and by extension the public. Often I hear moans and groans of the recent Michael Bay craze, yet everyone goes to see the newest movie. As much as we regret to admit it, Michael Bay gives society what they want: simple action. Again, people often look down on the simplistic style of 90s movies, laughing at their tropes and faults comparatively to modern cinema. However, they were shaped and molded by the ideals (or lack thereof) of the public and by extension the director, producer, and writer at that time. The directors gave the public what they wanted. For issues as complex as mental health, that was not really explored until the new millennia, the directors could not have asked the public stimulating questions about it as the public could not ask itself. Thankfully our culture has evolved, allowing films to evolve with it and explore new ideas and concepts. Some people still see fault in the way that mental health is portrayed in movies, and they have just reason to, however the fault for ignorance is not theirs, it is ours. We need to ask the questions for them to answer them.
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The Sputnik
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Sports Kyle Morrison | sports@thesputnik.ca | @sputniksports
Get your head in the game: The mental side of sports Kyle Morrison Sports Editor Sports are perceived to be a test of brute force and the celebration of an athlete’s physical abilities, but the mental side of an athlete’s performance is just as critical. The clock’s ticking down, you’ve got one shot to win it all, professional scouts are in the stands analyzing your every move; that sweat dripping off an athlete’s face and clammy palms in the next five to ten seconds is certainly not due to too much exercise. There are some exceptional examples of athletes like Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter who have the ability to raise their game in the face of adversity and deliver the game winning hit or shot nine times out of 10, but even they aren’t simply biologically superior in the mental toughness department. Such gifts are a culmination of many athletic abilities and personality traits rolled into one, coupled with tons of experience, sports psychology consultant and psychology professor at York University, Dr. Peter Papadogiannis says. “If you want to be the best Michael Jordan you can be, you have to work at it.” So if you want to be successful, you at least need a bit of both and he’s here to help. As a sports psychology consultant, Dr. Papadogiannis works with athletes or teams on the Olympic, professional, semi-professional and high-level amateur levels on the psychology of performance. This ranges from helping athletes who lack confidence or have high levels of nervousness during events, learning how to handle pressure, and teaching motivation and resilience. Firstly, Dr. Papadogiannis and the athlete need to identify the point of the pressure, because most of the time athletes have no idea what causes them, for example, to choke in the big game. “Once you kind of figure that out you can get into the body pieces,” Dr. Papadogiannis explains. Do you freeze up or does your heart rate increase and your mind go racing? These are all the messages that are relayed to your brain and
what you’re thinking about to yourself in that moment. So Dr. Papadogiannis asks the question, “What does pressure sound like? … How they perceive and understand and actually express their thoughts in their head.” Dr. Papadogiannis says, “We’ll really try to dig down … and fig-
may have a caddy, but there’s nothing he can do when you slice a drive into the trees and there’s a forest of 30-foot trees and a lake 200 yards away between you and your target. Flockhart is all about preparation to combat golf’s tenser moments. In prac-
“[The athletes] have all this great physical and mental potential, they just have to realize it.” ure out those components. So, just like with most things, an athlete’s psychological makeup can be taught and even those who possess stronger biological traits associated with performing well under pressure can always be better than they have before. The majority of athletes are physically gifted, but their potential is wasted without psychological support. “They have all this great physical and mental potential, they just have to realize it,” Dr. Papadogiannis explains. This is why he and the sports psychology field has become so successful. Every professional sports team now has a sports psychologist as a part of their team and even many amateur athletes are involved with some form of sports psychology. First year Wilfrid Laurier golfer, Eric Flockhart has worked with sports psychologists through his off-season Strive for Excellence training programs at Henry Brunton Golf in Stouville, Ontario. Flockhart, who has been golfing since he was three years old and entering tournaments since he was 11, has had a great first season for the Golden Hawks, highlighted by a fourth-place finish in the Toronto Invitational at Angus Glen North on October 11 and 12. With the OUA (Ontario University Athletics) Championship on October 20 and 21, he has to be in his best shape physically and mentally. The sport of golf epitomises the psychology of sports. There is no one but yourself out there and unlike in a team sport where if you make a mistake you can have the support of teammates or coaches, that’s not the case in golf. You
tice rounds he reviews certain areas that he needs to watch out for or parts of his game he’ll need to improve for the specific course he’s playing. “If it’s a bigger tournament there’s definitely a little bit more pressure … it’s about preparing yourself … so it’s there when you need it.” And with his success so far this season, pressure is compounded. But Flockhart doesn’t seem to be too phased. “If I play the way I normally know I can I will at least make expectations,” he says. “For me lately it’s been making sure if I hit a bad shot, it’s just not focusing on it.” Not dwelling on the negatives is one of the major components of Henry Brunton Golf’s Strive for Excellence. “One of the things we did during the winter was ‘mental team improvement sessions’,” Flockhart explains. “[The coaches] really focused on learning how to calm yourself down, dealing with errors, slowing your heart rate down … and focus on the high percentages.” Flockhart admits that he wasn’t al-
ways good at controlling the pressure, but as Dr. Papadogiannis explains, experience plays a large role in improving. “[High pressure situations] are something I’ve slowly learned to get better with,” Flockhart says. What is best about all of these scenarios is the transferability of them. High pressure situations occur in all aspects of life and if you can learn how to mentally deal with them in sports, you can do that whether it’s in school, work or whenever else. Although physical problems like a broken leg are easier to mend so you can keep playing, handling the mental side of sports (and life) can be learned and improved.
Athletes have to focus on the psychological side of sports just as much as the physical. (Art by Neha Sekhon)
The troubling issue of teammates fighting teammates Anthony Fusco Staff Percy Harvin is a dynamic football talent. He has blistering speed, excellent hands and is a versatile game-breaking player. That sounds like a pretty good
package to have in an athlete right? It definitely is, but there was one outstanding issue that forced the reigning Superbowl Champion Seattle Seahawks to pull off a quick and surprising trade that sent the talented wide receiver to the woeful New York Jets. Harvin has
off-field issues, specifically fighting with his teammates. It was confirmed that last year Harvin got into an altercation with then teammate Golden Tate, now a wide receiver with the Detroit Lions. The fight began in a meeting room and finished in the locker room. Tate ended up with a black eye. And then this season Harvin got in a scrap with another receiver on his team, Doug Baldwin. Both players were told to stay away from practice for that week. It is a troubling picture for a pro sports team. Your teammates are like your family. You bond together, win together and endure hardships together. You should never, under any circumstances get in a fight with a teammate. For one, both players could get hurt, which would then hurt the team overall the next time they play. It also hurts the reputations of the players involved and could lead to a black eye or media firestorm if the incidents were to come to light. Over the years there have been many memorable incidents of teammates fighting each other. Years ago at Flyers training camp, Keith Primeau and Chris McAllister dropped the gloves and fought. McAllister ended up having his
nose broken by a punch in the bout. Two interesting things about this fight? There were no repercussions for either player after the affair was over, and this fight took place in training camp. The coach at the time, Ken Hitchcock, only wanted tough players who could make a statement. It may have been unorthodox, but he got exactly that with Primeau. Another famous fight involved NBA legend Michael Jordan and his teammate at the time, Steve Kerr. They had differing viewpoints on issues around the NBA at the time and didn’t always get along. To make matters worse they often guarded each other in practice, which allowed the anger to build over time. It all finally came apart during a scrimmage in practice, when after a brief round of pushing, Kerr started swinging for the fences. Kerr ended up with a black eye after the fight. There was no punishment for either player after the fact. Jordan actually left a message on his answering machine telling him how sorry he was. Both players had no further problems with each other for the rest of their careers. If you ask me, it’s unacceptable to fight a teammate. I don’t care if tempers flare in practice or during a game. Players need to keep a cool head and save all that fire and intensity for their opponents.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
The Sputnik
11
Sports Kyle Morrison | sports@thesputnik.ca | @sputniksports
Dan Leal, of the Mud Warriors team, hops over the tire pile, the final obstacle of the War Horse Warrior Challenge Mud Run, which took place at the Southern Cross Equestrian Academy on Saturday morning. (Photo by Jacob Dearlove)
War Horse participants ran, climbed, and jumped for cancer research Jacob Dearlove Student Contributor On a chilly, yet sunny Saturday morning, runners showed up at the Southern Cross Equestrian Academy in Burford, Ontario to participate in the War Horse Warrior Challenge Obstacle Course Mud Run. The name is a lengthy one, as was the course that the run took place on, taking runners into forests, over ponds, and through
mud pits. The mud run certainly lived up to its name with the majority of contestants crossing the finish line caked in mud, or drenched from the “Pond Crossing” obstacle, in what was Brantand-Norfolk County’s first mud run. The mud and the rain couldn’t stop the beaming smiles of people crossing the finish line with their teammates. Team after team ran, walked, or leaped over the finish line with triumphant
smiles after completing the five-kilometre course. “It was just as muddy as I expected, and just as challenging as I expected. It was good, I’m glad we got to do it,” recounted Brad Wood, a member of the “Cancer Crusher Heroes” team. “My whole team ran for somebody; we all ran for someone that passed away from cancer. Just to raise the money alone, and to come out here and be with the family and friends – it was a good day.” As Wood explained, the point of the mud run was not to simply get muddy and run five kilometres; the race was a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society, which is involved in both cancer research and the support of cancer patients. Individual runners and teams raised money for the CCS, most of which will go towards local initiatives by the organization within the Brantford area. Among other projects, the money will support cancer research, a shuttle service which brings patients and their families to and from treatments, and a cancer information hotline that assists newly-diagnosed cancer patients with any questions they may have. When registration and online donations closed on Thursday evening, $22,743.30 of the original $40,000 goal had been donated; however, upon commencement of the race, the total had reached the goal, and was still climbing*. Vanessa Janzen, the lead organizer of the project, was extremely happy with how the day turned out, but was quick to point out the efforts of the volunteers who worked hard to make this day a reality. Volunteers were at every obstacle along the way, guiding runners through the course, and cheering them on as they ran. They were also integral to the post-race festivities, which included food, drinks and live music. After the adult heats had run, all heads were turned to the kids’ course, which was a more condensed version of the course that the adults had run through. The 1.5-kilometre kids’ course had two age groups participate: one of eight to 10 year olds, and one of 11-13 year olds. Both heats
Brent Howarth, Austin Bray, and Paul Croswell celebrate after crossing the finish line of the War Horse Warrior Challenge Charity Mud Run, an event that took place at the Southern Cross Equestrian Academy on Saturday morning. (Photo by Jacob Dearlove)
“The warriors who completed the race raised more than $40,000 to help the Canadian Cancer Society in funding local and national programs and research to help those affected by all forms of cancer.” started off by telling the kids that they were warriors; and warriors they were indeed, running in colder and rainier weather than the adults while getting just as muddy. According to paramedics on the site, there was just one minor injury despite over 200 participants in the race, and everyone was allowed to complete the course at their own pace. At the end of the day, the inaugural War Horse Warrior Challenge was a huge success, and promises to be even muddier and more challenging next year. Thanks to the warriors who completed the race, more than $40,000 will help the Canadian Cancer Society in funding local and national programs and research to help those affected by all forms of cancer. *Information on final donation totals can be found on the event’s website later this week.
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The Sputnik
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Opinion Brittany Bennett | opinion@thesputnik.ca | @sputnikopinion
Use your voice in a positive way Brittany Bennett Opinion Editor Are you #depressed? According to the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario depression is one of the lead causes of disabilities around the world. It is also said that one in ten Canadians will suffer from a major depressive episode in their lifetime, so it is clear that this is quite the common issue. Now that we have social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, this issue is vocalized more than ever before. I’m just not sure if it’s in the right ways. What irritates me the most is when people who may or may not suffer from depression, use it to get attention through social media. Tweets and Facebook statuses have given the world almost too large of a platform to share their thoughts. Being a person that suffers from a major depressive disorder, this kind of frustrates me. I understand there is a certain extent where you should reach out to your family and friends – although that is personally just not in my nature – but
possibly good day; what a downer. I guess it would be nice to know that people care and all, but that should be on a more personal level than through social media. While searching through twitter feeds such as #depressed, you can see these posts are incredibly common. What is the point? Maybe it’s just me, but I do not want anyone’s pity because I happen to have a medical condition. Where would that get me? I think people misuse the voice social media has given us. If you are going to post about depression, post about how you have overcome it! Encourage, inspire and help others with your posts. It is not the place to get counselling on your problems, there are outlets, organizations and people Tweets and Facebook statuses have given the world almost too large of a platform to share their who care about you, that you can go thoughts. (Photo by Marissa White) to for that. Check out the Mood Disto post these personal things to the complaining about this and that. I just orders Association of Ontario for selfwhole wide world? I do not see how do not understand how this is an ef- help groups, talk to your doctor, or a that is going to help you, or anyone for fective tool of managing your depres- close friend or family member the next that matter. sion. First off, thinking from a self- time you have a depressing thought, I see it every day scrolling through less perspective, I would not want to because guess what? These outlets will my Facebook and Twitter feeds, some- throw my problems out there for all actually help you. times even deep, personal statuses my friends to have to soak into their
Mental health does not define you Christina Manocchio Staff
You will never make it to university! Why can’t you just be happier? I don’t understand why you’re like this! Just snap out of it! Sometimes, people do not have a wide understanding about mental health. This misunderstanding of mental health can lead to stigmas. If it is not taught in school, many of us rely on media outlets for understanding an issue. I have run into many television shows that make mental health seem like the worst thing that has ever happened to a person; a character with a mental health condition is always treated differently. In many crime shows, it seems like the condition is the main topic. The criminal had mental health problems, so the
crime makes more sense now, right? Mental health does not define a person and is not always the answer to explain their actions. In the television show Parenthood, a child was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome (autism). Everyone around the child treated them differently afterwards and made it seem like they lost their child. One of the worst parts of having mental health problems is the stigmas that surround it. Opening Minds by the Mental Health Commission of Canada states that 60 per cent of people with a mental health problem will not seek help due to the stigma that is attached to the label. We live in a society that cares more about labels than getting the right help. HeretoHelp, partners with Mental Health and Addictions Information in
British Columbia, found that just under half of Canadians thought a disability was an excuse for poor behavior. Imagine trying to get accommodations in school or being afraid to talk about mental health because of the negativity surrounding it. With this statistic, there will always be at least one educator who believes that your mental health is an excuse. What amazed me even more is the Mental Health Commission of Canada found that 20 per cent of Canadians live with a mental illness in Canada. That is one in five people; you are bound to meet more than one person with a mental illness in a lifetime. Yet, we still have these views that are not necessarily correct. I have never considered having a mental health problem as a big issue. It was not until I was older when I real-
ized that a person is treated differently if they have a learning problem or another disability. Even my autistic cousin has people talking to him like he is a toddler, which he is not. Being pulled out of class for extra help as a child made me feel less normal. Due to the lack of funds, children get put into a special education classes full of ranges and spectrums of disabilities. The issue is that every problem is different and requires a different way to navigate it. Most of the time, people with mental health problems would like to feel normal because they are normal. I look forward to seeing a world where everyone would be considered equal – regardless of a person’s characteristics or qualities.
The issue with downloading music for free Josh Adesina Staff Oh, the guilt you had after downloading Ariana Grande’s new album, right? If there is anything I’m sure people don’t feel guilty about, it’s downloading music for free! This is something most of us can relate with. Downloading music for free through file-sharing websites is something a lot of young people are familiar with. Free music is great but did you ever consider the effect it has on the music industry? The music industry works hard and spends a lot of money producing and distributing music worldwide. Record labels and publishing companies only ask for a small fee, and we ought to think about the musicians that work hard as well. Downloading music for free may seem harmless but it is actually illegal. Let’s take a look at the effects it has had on the industry. According to the Telegraph UK, out of the top ten countries with the world’s largest music markets – America holds the number one spot. Japan followed after with the second largest market and the United Kingdom had the third largest. Canada had the seventh
Downloading music for free is actually illegal. (Photo by Christina Manocchio)
largest market. Between 2004 and 2009, around 30 billion songs were downloaded illegally – according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Retail stores such as Sunrise Records and HMV have been closed down in several locations across Canada because of the sharp decline in album sales. Sunrise
Records have closed more than half of its stores in the past decade – according to the Globe and Mail. In addition, two Sunrise Records stores which were located on Yonge St. in Toronto have recently closed down. These numbers may not affect you, but you have to view it from a different
perspective. Several members of staff at different record labels lost their jobs along with a few companies having to shut down. Record labels today do not have the budget they used to. Record executives are only willing to fork out big bucks to artists that promise large returns in sales. Touring and performances seems to be the focus for many record companies today because it is a guaranteed source of income. Music can be expensive, especially when you have a list of albums you want to listen to. Regardless, that album that you want to download for free was a project that could have taken years to produce. A whole team of staff including engineers, producers, artists & repertoires – along with studio executives invest a lot of money in albums and only ask for a small price. I’m sure you would understand if Iggy Azalea was sitting right next to you while you illegally download The New Classic. You like it when your favourite artists release new music, so let’s support them by actually purchasing their work. If you really appreciated them, a couple dollars wouldn’t be a big deal.