SCLD organizes mental health awareness week to destroy social stigmas

If you’re feeling the post-midterms blues, you’re likely not alone. Despite the ongoing mental awareness campaigns on campus, stigma is still alive and thriving.
Often times, the stigma of having mental health challenges can be more disabling than the illnesses themselves.
November 4 marked national stress awareness day, and to celebrate, the Student Community and Leadership Development team hosted a mental health awareness fair in Vari Hall.
[su_pullquote]Various organizations tabled, including Counselling and Disability Services, York University Psychology Clinic, Jack.org, and the show-stopping St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program, among others.[/su_pullquote]
“I think York is doing a great job in trying to destigmatize mental health and help people feel that it’s okay to go and talk to someone,” says Dr. Louise Hartley, YUPC director. York has yet to adopt the Canadian Mental Health Commission’s National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.
Donna Smith, interim assistant vice-president, Human Resources, says the standard is voluntary, and is intended to provide organizations with a framework to develop and continuously improve psychologically safe and healthy work environments for their employees.
“The statement that York has yet to adopt the standard is mistaken from the perspective that York has made mental health a priority and has implemented and continues to implement several initiatives with that goal in mind,” says Smith.
“The standard is not designed to have a checklist of things to do and then you’re done. It’s set up to foster continual improvement.”
York is committed to fostering a psychologically safe and healthy environment for employees, as well as students, and continues to work toward identifying priorities and initiatives towards this goal, adds Smith.
The Mental Health Steering Committee is currently conducting consultations with the community and working toward meeting the standard which has been identified as one of the actions from the consultations.
[su_pullquote]“The standard does not discount the value of the work that organizations are already undertaking to guard the psychological health and safety of their employees, but instead provides a comprehensive framework within which to direct current and future efforts that provide the best return on investment.”[/su_pullquote]
Discussions of de-stigmatization and acceptance were common throughout the fair, with the recently formed Jack.org’s mission statement matching the theme.
The Health Education and Promotion sector of SCLD was present at the fair, with the mental health team being the driving force behind the event.
Through awareness and education, the student-run team aims to remove barriers to access resources and change the language and opinion regarding mental health.
“I think there’s people who are still not aware of the sensitivity of their words and the issue. Being more aware [and asking] ‘why is my friend acting that way?’ instead of jumping to conclusions, is something we can still work on,” says David J. Kim, mental health team.
“We want to promote proaction and intellectual empowerment. We want people to know more about mental health and break down the myths of mental health. We, as a society, are still working on that.”
Twenty per cent of Canadians will experience mental illness in their lifetime, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association. Moreover, almost half of those who feel they suffer from depression or anxiety never seek professional help.
“A big problem in Ontario is that psychological services are costly. We’re lucky that student fees supplement CDS so that people do have some resources,” adds Hartley.
Currently, YUPC aims to raise funds to provide subsidized services to students and community members in financial need.
 
With files from Ryan Moore
 
 
Victoria Goldberg
Arts Editor