Mental Health Day - Bell Let's Talk - Feb. 12th - IT MAKES ME MAD!

Firstly I think it's great that they are donating and trying to raise awareness towards mental health and such.

However, Having suffered from Depression and other mental illnesses most of my life it just makes me mad that 1) Get's free publicity in one sense, I know they are donated funds on Feb. 12th. 2) that is takes a celebrity or celebrities child to open peoples eyes to the real world of mental illness and the lives that are affected.

However, like I said I've been living/existing with these problems for 30 + years and quite honestly getting help is quite frankly impossible unless you are admitted to the hospital which is what happed in Dec. 2010.

My personal and most low point was Nov. 22nd, 2007 when I could no longer work at my present job in the federal government. I lost my job and currently are now trying to get my retirement on medical grounds.

I've done & participated in all the available resources that were made available to me which frankly a joke in themselves. But I must say that in the last 6 years it really is a joke to get help from whatever resources are available in your town, cities, etc.

I still do not have a physicharist (spelling unsure) and I find this crazy given my long mental health history.

What are your thoughts, concerns and/or comments.

I also find it upsetting that the Royal Ottawa Hospital no longer focuses it's care on mental health but drug rehabilitation.

I am glad that those that have substance abuse are getting the help they need but I feel really let down on the Mental Health side when the Royal Ottawa has refocused it's care that it was reknown for and is not basically a rehab facility.

I think that mental health has taken a back burner which makes me quite pissed off to say the least.

I hear you, mental health services, ESPECIALLY in the Ottawa area, are a joke. My son has been suffering from mental illness for years and other than being prescribed meds there has been no other help. He has been passed from one "specialist" to another, with all of them saying they don't know what to do for him. Really? You don't know what to do for a 9 year old child? Is he just destined to live this way for the rest of his life? It's sickening.

I feel your pain I was about your son's age when my mental illness began. I hope that you find a reputable resource soon as I feel that medications are not the only answer.

It makes me mad that people are ill for years and are only prescribed medication and a few appointments to specialist or doctors and then you & your family are left trying to figure out what works or what makes sense for your own personal situations and it shouldn't be this way.

Instead of having scheduled appointments with someone in the mental health field we are stranded/stuck seeing our gps/family doctors that don't know much about mental illness because of the wide variety of different mental illnesses.

Best of luck to you & your son, I truly empathize we you as I know what you are going through.

Have you ever looked into Open Doors, they may be able to assist you, however, I think it's a rural service but it never hurts to try.

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Originally Posted by sheetsofemptycanvas

I hear you, mental health services, ESPECIALLY in the Ottawa area, are a joke. My son has been suffering from mental illness for years and other than being prescribed meds there has been no other help. He has been passed from one "specialist" to another, with all of them saying they don't know what to do for him. Really? You don't know what to do for a 9 year old child? Is he just destined to live this way for the rest of his life? It's sickening.

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Actually, we live in a rural area... Ottawa is the closest major city. I will look into that, thank you!!

Another rant I have is the freaking wait times!!! Over a year to see some idiot who just says "sorry, nothing we can do"

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Originally Posted by jasperandchar

However, Having suffered from Depression and other mental illnesses most of my life it just makes me mad that 1) Get's free publicity in one sense, I know they are donated funds on Feb. 12th. 2) that is takes a celebrity or celebrities child to open peoples eyes to the real world of mental illness and the lives that are affected.

What are your thoughts, concerns and/or comments.

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I just read the title of your thread and thought the same. Put "Bell" in the thread and you know they are up to no good. How many times have the CRTC charged them with overcharging customers and with misleading advertisements on their cell phone plans, satellite offers, telephone packages and on and on.

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Originally Posted by sheetsofemptycanvas

Actually, we live in a rural area... Ottawa is the closest major city. I will look into that, thank you!!

Another rant I have is the freaking wait times!!! Over a year to see some idiot who just says "sorry, nothing we can do"

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This is why I am reluctant to move.
I would prefer to be in a more rural setting, however I know that where I am, I am in a very fortunate position to be able to receive good services for my boys and within a reasonable amount of time.
I do not have to rely solely on the help of a doctor, I have access to teams of therapists and specialists.

I am completely in agreement the wait times are crazy like you said and you are right you get stupid comment or response which makes you get pissed off and throw your hands up in the air.

Hoping Open Doors can help in some shape and/or form.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sheetsofemptycanvas

Actually, we live in a rural area... Ottawa is the closest major city. I will look into that, thank you!!

Another rant I have is the freaking wait times!!! Over a year to see some idiot who just says "sorry, nothing we can do"

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You are definately very fortunate.

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Originally Posted by i_forget

This is why I am reluctant to move.
I would prefer to be in a more rural setting, however I know that where I am, I am in a very fortunate position to be able to receive good services for my boys and within a reasonable amount of time.
I do not have to rely solely on the help of a doctor, I have access to teams of therapists and specialists.

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With the amount Ive been tweeting, I think I raised over 50 dollars so far.

gryphon, that's awesome! It's nice they gave an option for people who weren't Bell customers.

I think any money which is raised, any awareness which is raised, can only be good.

As somone affected by it, I had to do something.

I think that the campagin is doing wonders for mental health awareness. Though it does make me sad that celebrities have to get involved before anyone will take something seriously.

I have suffered with depression almost my entire life. There are waves to it, some days easier to manage than others. My low point was about 6 years ago when I considered suicide. I knew I had to get help. I worked with both my GP and a therapist. I didn't see a physciatrist, I just needed someone to talk to. Both my GP and therapist agreed that I needed to be on anti-depressants. I worked to get better and evenually I came off the drugs. I still have good days and bad, but, thankfully, I've never reached that low again.

Mental health professionals have become.....to put it nicely...lazy. Most don't seem to be willing to help they just want to prescribe you drugs. Drugs are not the answer. They are just a temporary fix. The government also makes it difficult for people to seek help because they have to pay out of their own pocket to see a professional. This is ridiculous! Mental health is still health and should be covered by OHIP. Same with dental.