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Author: Laura Sciarpelletti

  • Disability Events in March 2016

    Disability Events in March 2016

    Commence 2016
    This Toronto get-together is for young people with intellectual disabilities interested in expanding their academic, creative and career worlds. In collaboration with the Ryerson School of Disability Studies, host Community Living Ontario welcomes speakers John Obrien, Tom Kohler, and Beth Keeton to discuss exploring skills and options in a fast moving world.
    March 1-2, Toronto, ON, Ryerson Student Centre

    Brain Awareness Week
    A far-stretching community with a brain disability focus, the website www.dana.org/BAW allows you to find local events and online resources centering on disabilities such as bipolar disorder, Huntington’s and other cognitive ailments. This is not just for those who suffer from brain disorders. Brain Awareness Week is a perfect time to acquire knowledge about the many things that affect our loved ones and society as a whole.
    March 14-20, Across-Canada

    Purple Day
    Founded by the young Cassidy Megan, The Global Day of Epilepsy Awareness seeks to educate about epilepsy while dispelling myths and letting those who suffer from it know that they are not alone. While this is a relatively new foundation—having been created in 2008—support from family, friends and those who suffer from seizures like Cassidy will help to promote Purple Day as an important mark on our calendars.
    March 26th, Across-Canada, www.purpleday.org

    March of Dimes
    This organization functions as a support for people with disabilities throughout Canada. www.marchofdimes.ca states that the organization focuses on visible (wheelchair), not-so-visible and aging factors that contribute to disability. The March of Dimes events that take place during the month of March cover information on various physical disabilities and are open to both those who deal with them as well as friends and family.

    Events:
    Halifax (March 4), Saskatoon (March 7) and London (March 24)—further information on locations and times can be found at www.marchofdimes.ca.

  • Career Profile: Dog Walker/Pet Sitter

    Career Profile: Dog Walker/Pet Sitter

    Do you like animals? You and your family might look after your pet if you have one. However, did you know that people can earn a living by walking dogs and looking after pets? When people go away, or just when they need extra help, they might want to call on a pet sitter or dog walker for help. It might even be the right job for you someday.

    Pets can be fun, helpful, and good company, but they can take a lot of work. They need to be fed every day, and dogs need to go out for walks several times during the day and maybe at night. Cats tend to need less care, but they also need to have food and water in their bowls and to have their litter boxes cleaned out. Other kinds of pets, like fish, hamsters, and birds all need different levels of care.

    Not everyone has the time to take care of their pets themselves. They might work or go to classes during the day and need someone to take their animals out. Many people who go away on holidays prefer to leave their pets at home instead of taking them to a kennel or other places where animals can stay. However, that means that someone has to take care of the pets while the owners are away.

    Almost anyone who likes animals and has the patience to look after them can become a dog walker or pet sitter. The first step is to get to know as much as possible about animals. Part of learning about pets comes from experience, but it can also be helpful to read books and websites about them. The first step is to decide what kinds of animals you want to look after. Once you know that, you can find the right sources of information to tell you what you need. If you have a pet and go to the Vet often, ask them questions about how you could provide the best care to pets.

    Anyone can look after a pet for a friend or a relative. However, many cities have rules about how many dogs that people can walk at one time. If you want to become a professional dog walker in the future, you should check to see what permits you might need to get. You should also try to find the parks where dogs can be off of their leashes for a while.

    Working as a pet sitter or dog walker can be a full-time job for anyone who is willing to work to get new clients. Payment can vary from minimum wage to twice as much or even more, but it depends on the employer and type of animal. You might not earn much money yet as a dog walker or pet sitter, but this is the type of job that can grow with you as you get older. If you enjoy looking after animals, the job of dog walker or pet sitter might be right for you.

    Bibliography:
    Canine Club Academy. “Dog Walker Salary — What Can You Make?.” http://canineclubacademy.com/careers-with-animals/dog-walker-salary-can-make/.
    Floofins & Co. “Job Description: Pet Care Specialist – Dog Walker.” http://www.floofinsandco.com/about-floofins-co/job-opportunities/dog-walker-job-description/.
    Newman, Alex. “For Dog Walkers, the Walk in the Park is Hard Work.” http://www.thestar.com/business/small_business/2010/03/08/for_dog_walkers_the_walk_in_the_park_is_hard_work.html.
    Pet Caretakers.com. “Pet Sitting and Profitability.” http://www.petcaretakers.com/business/pet-sitting-and-profitability/.

  • The Benefits of Volunteering

    The Benefits of Volunteering

    When it comes to our busy schedules, most people can’t even find the time to squeeze in a meal let alone find the time to volunteer. And much like the difficulties associated with deciding between which clubs to join in school it’s difficult to know which organization or charity to volunteer with. But, even if finding the time to volunteer seems daunting, there are plenty of places to volunteer and the benefits gained are something that could very potentially add to your life for the better.

    When I was in high school, getting in my community service hours seemed more like a chore than anything else. I remember volunteering with my friend at her church and going to help serve food to the homeless in the winter. I felt like I needed to be there because I was pretty much forced into getting my hours in order to score my diploma. I’m not sure how it was with other high school students but that was definitely not the attitude to have walking into volunteer work.

    Then university hit. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do but in my third year I decided to become a volunteer note-taker for any students who were associated with the Accessibility Centre. It never once felt like a chore because I had decided on my own terms to do it. I knew that I was being relied on, which made me feel good, and I also knew that I was making a difference for the students who wanted to work with me. This feeling of helping and knowing I was making a difference eventually blossomed into me furthering my volunteer experience to becoming a study partner. Before she graduated, one of the women I was helping told me that I was the most wonderful, and dedicated person she had ever worked with. It was an incredible feeling and at the end of the year I knew that I had made a new friend. I was also even granted a certificate upon completing a year of volunteer work.

    Volunteer work has lots to offer you. Not only will you make several connections with people but you’ll also be able to add something to your resume; the great feeling that comes with helping people benefits them but also you. You need to make sure that you do it for you though and not just because you have to, otherwise it’ll feel like work. There are lots of places you can go to volunteer, though some do require a commitment from you, which is another reason why you need to make sure you want to do it. But you have tons of options for where to volunteer. And by volunteering at one place, you open the door to more facilities and charities you can work with as well as enriching your experience in the workforce and in life.

  • Fun, Recreational Organizations: Ontario (Hamilton) and Toronto

    Fun, Recreational Organizations: Ontario (Hamilton) and Toronto

    Hamilton

    HCBA- Hamilton, Ontario- Challenger Baseball
    Challenger Baseball, Hamilton, is a non-profit organization that is run by volunteers to bring joy and the fun of baseball to disabled and developmentally disabled players.
    If you like playing games with friends and of course, baseball, this is the activity for you!
    Visit the following link to get a registration form for 2016:
    http://www.hcba.on.ca/

    Contact:
    http://www.hcba.on.ca/executive/contact/


    Autism/PDD Family Alliance – Cooking with Autism
    Love cooking? Check out the Cooking with Autism program in Hamilton, Ontario. You get to practice your skills and share delicious food with friends and family.
    Follow this link to see if you qualify:
    http://www.cookingwithautism.com/
    Email: autism@bell.net

     

    Lawson Ministries STRIVE Adult Day Services
    STRIVE is a Salvation Army run program that offers day programs and support to families touched with a developmental disability.
    Follow this link and see if it is right for you: http://www.lawsonministries.org/about_us.html
    Phone: (905)527-6212

     

    TEAD The Equestrian Association for the Disabled
    Do you love horses? Have you ever wanted to ride one? Now is your chance! Take a ride with TEAD, located on a beautiful, spacious, 92-acre horse farm in Mount Hope, Ontario ( Hamilton).
    Visit their website for details on how to sign up:
    http://tead.on.ca/
    Contact:
    http://tead.on.ca/contact-us/

     

    Toronto

    Artists without Barriers –AWB- For Developmentally Disabled Adults
    This program is awesome! Do you like making art and painting the day away? Why not do it with friends? Artists without Barriers is a program that lets you express your creativity to the max. Join in on the fun!
    Visit their website for more information:
    http://www.artistswithoutbarriers.com/
    Contact:
    artistswithoutbarriers@gmail.com

     

    Best Buddies Canada
    Best Buddies is a program to encourage and create one on one friendships between volunteers and students in the community, and developmentally challenged or disabled youth and adults.
    Follow this link of how to be a part of the fun:
    http://bestbuddies.ca/

     

    Camp Awakening- For Youth with Physical Disabilities
    Do you enjoy the outdoors? Roasting marshmallows by the fire with friends? Join Camp Awakening this summer! This camp is accessible for those with physical disabilities.
    To apply for 2016, click on this link:
    http://www.campawakening.com/Apply-Now
    Main website:
    http://www.campawakening.com/

     

    Resources:
    https://charityvillage.com/directories/organizations-a-h/disabilities.aspx
    http://www.pathtosuccess.ca/community/recreational-and-leisure/

  • Disability Events: February 2016

    Disability Events: February 2016

    February can be a bleak month for many people, especially when the weather is cold and spring seems far away. For people with disabilities, the month may seem to stretch out endlessly with very little to do. However, February 2016 will also give people the opportunity to participate in a variety of events related to disabilities. Whether or not you have a disability, it could be very good for you to get involved.

    Knowledge and information are essential parts of dealing with disabilities. For people who have severe vision problems, for example, finding out where to get Braille books or guide dogs might be very helpful. White Cane week from February 1st to 7th is a series of events sponsored by the Canadian Council for the Blind, giving information and support for people, as well as sports competitions, special dinners, and other events. Most provinces and one territory in Canada are holding events to celebrate the week.

    If you live anywhere near Toronto, the Rethinking Disabilities Conference might be a good event to attend or to encourage your parents or teachers to consider. The one-day conference on February 11th is especially good for employers, since the focus of the talks will be on the benefits of hiring people with disabilities. Finding work can be difficult enough for people without any obvious disability, but it can be especially hard for people who are unable to complete certain tasks. A conference like this one might help you or the people around you to understand the challenges a little better than before.

    Sports fans probably know all about the idea behind a hall of fame which celebrates people’s achievements in areas like baseball or hockey. This year, a different kind of hall of fame in Toronto will be twenty-two years old. The Disability Hall of Fame opened on February 11th, 1994 to help celebrate the achievements of people with physical disabilities, and the exhibits are still open to the public. A visit to this museum on its anniversary could be inspiring for many visitors.

    If you have the chance to watch television at the end of February, you might want to check for the beginning of Special Olympics Canada events. Although the games will not start until March 1st, the days before that will likely have information about the athletes and their competitions. The games will take place in Corner Brook, Newfoundland.

    Autism Sunday is another event that you might want to recognize. The second Sunday in February has been an official observance since 2002, when a group of people in the United Kingdom encouraged others in the community to take a day to take action for people with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Since many churches now take part in the observance, it is also called the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

    Bibliography:

    The Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons. “Canadian Disability Hall of Fame.”
    http://www.cfpdp.com/canadian-disability-hall-of-fame/.
    Disability News Canada. “Conferences and Events.” http://disabilitynewscanada.com/conferences__events.
    Health Canada. “Calendar of Health Promotion Days.”
    http://hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/calend/index-eng.php.
    Special Olympics Canada. “Special Olympics Canada chooses Corner Brook, Newfoundland to host the 2016 Winter Games.” http://www.specialolympics.ca/highlight/special-olympics-canada-chooses-corner-brook-newfoundland-to-host-the-2016-winter-games/.
    Wikipedia.org. “Autism Sunday.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism_Sunday.
    Ontario Disability Employment Network. “Rethinking Disabilities Conference (Toronto, ON).” http://odenetwork.com/events/rethinking-disabilities/

  • Don’t Cheat on that Test!

    Don’t Cheat on that Test!

    I will be the little voice in your mind that will tell/remind you to never, ever cheat on a test. Sure, there are many different reasons for not cheating, the biggest being that it is only ethical, there are other reasons you may have not considered. These factors may be such as confirming your accumulated knowledge, and how you can use that knowledge going forward in your career and personal life.

    Everybody has different ways of studying – and with the right strategy, information sticks so that you can write (and pass) that test. Facts can linger in your mind longer, if you need it – especially if you studied the night before the test. Therefore, your passing the test confirms that you do know and can use the material. Depending on your chosen career, this knowledge is necessary for success, and knowing the basic foundations of any subject (and sometimes the specifics) is essential. If you did cheat on a test, you have confirmed that you don’t know the material, and it won’t help you succeed in your chosen field- so what is the point?

    People know a lot of things that don’t necessarily relate to their careers. Despite working in a law office, I still have two different Shakespearean monologues stuck in my head because I had to memorize the lines – and because they’re particularly interesting in tone, theme, and actually carry some importance towards society in terms of inspiration.

    Returning to ethics; there is a reason why Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” sticks in the mind. You may know the story: the character is haunted by a metaphorical heart beating in the floorboards. It’s used often to represent the fact that secrets have a way of always coming out – and if you don’t wish them to be, they will haunt you. Your subconscious asks you all these questions, “but I could have studied and put forth my best effort,” “but the teacher will find out,” or even, “did the person I cheat off even study as well?” It is all a possibility.

    Either way, cheating on a test is not advised for so many reasons other than not being ethical, as I’ve written above. It may be tempting, particularly if you don’t know the topic well, or if your brain feels a little burnt out. You must ask yourself the question: what does it say of my character if I cheated on a test? If you didn’t, it proves that you know the information required, and most of all, that you’re an honest character that is determined to work well and is prepared to demonstrate that knowledge. Therefore, I recommend you go and study for that test you’ve been putting off.

  • Is it Normal to Change Careers? Questions and Tips that will Help You Figure it Out

    Is it Normal to Change Careers? Questions and Tips that will Help You Figure it Out

    It’s perfectly normal to change careers in some cases. But at what point is it valid to pursue the risk? Here are some ways you can tell it’s time to change your career path:

    You’re frequently feeling tired, exhausted and unhealthy.
    If you’re experiencing work hours to be exhausting and long, you might want to look into what is causing the problem. Is it your workplace? Most of us spend more time at work and with our co-workers than our loved ones so it’s important to love the place you work and people you work with. Overly stressful workplaces do not necessarily mean it is healthy competition or a good challenge for you. Listen to your body when it tells you this job is taking a toll on your health and move on.

    Your values and skills do not align with those required of you.
    Sometimes it isn’t your lack of skill but rather a mismatch of values. You might be very good at what you’re doing right now but it doesn’t mean it aligns with your personal values or what you want to get out of your job. The thing is, if you don’t care about your job you won’t be able to give it your best. Caring about what you do is giving your time value. So value your life.

    The money you’re making doesn’t make up for the lost time.
    At some point the salary you’re taking home won’t make up for the time you feel like you’re wasting while going to work every day. There are people you will meet in life that used to make way more than they do now…the difference is they are happier making less. Isn’t that the ultimate goal of life? To be happy? If you aren’t in a financial strain, you can shop around for a job after resigning. If money is a problem, consider finding a new job before you leave your current one.

    You feel like you could make a better impact elsewhere.
    If you know you’re fit for better things than moping away at your desk job then don’t waste any more time than you already have. While it isn’t necessary to obtain a job that is related to what you studied in school, you also don’t have to settle for jobs that are of no relevance to your interests. It’s about time you took charge and changed your career. These days, it’s normal to change careers several times until you find the right fit.

    Sources:
    http://www.careershifters.org/expert-advice/how-to-change-career-when-you-have-no-idea-what-youre-doing
    http://www.quintcareers.com/career-change/
    http://career-advice.monster.com/career-development/changing-careers/10-worst-career-change-mistakes/article.aspx

  • One Step Forward – Five Scholarships for Women in Science

    One Step Forward – Five Scholarships for Women in Science

    Science has always been a fascinating subject for people, and it’s no wonder TV shows like Mr. Wizard’s World, Beakman’s World, Nova, and Bill Nye the Science Guy have filled the screens of households for many years. However, if there is one thing that these shows have taught the general public, it’s that science seems to be a world dominated by men.

    Of course, times are changing, and although male scientists still remain to be at a substantially larger number than female scientists these days, there are boundless opportunities for women to enter the picture and prove that female scientists can be as good—maybe even better—than their male counterparts.

    But first, those who are looking into establishing a career in sciences should have the appropriate education to go along with it, and below is a look into five scholarships that can help out:

    Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation
    The CEMF was established in 1990 spearheaded by Claudette MacKay-Lassonde, P.Eng. who was President of the Professional Engineers of Ontario at the time. Its goal is to provide for the education of women in studies related to engineering in schools, colleges, and universities throughout Canada. In 1998, the CEMF was formally launched. Three years later, in 2002, the organization’s scholarship program was created to provide financial assistance to women seeking studies in science. Since then, over 600 women all over Canada have taken a shot at the scholarship, and 200 of them have been successful.

    Aspire Program (Canadian National Railway)
    The Aspire Program from CN was created in 2012 to enlighten young women all over Canada about the opportunities in the world of railroad. It also offers grants to support the post-secondary education of women who are interested in programs related to CN’s core business such as Engineering, Transportation, Logistics, IT, and others.

    Debbe Gervin Memorial Entrance Award
    This endowment program was launched in 2001 in honour of Debbie Gervin, who was a beloved faculty member at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Every year, the family, friends, and the Society for Canadian Women in Science & Technology (SCWIST) allocates an entrance award to a female student in BCIT’s programs. At the same time, the organization provides bursaries to female students in BCIT’s Information Technology Professional Program.

    Dr. Margaret Lowe Benston Memorial Scholarship
    This scholarship program was founded in honour of Margaret Lowe Benston who devoted a considerable amount of her time and knowledge in the fields of women’s studies and computer science. Even after her passing in 1991, Benston remains to be an inspiration to all women in the field of science. The scholarship is awarded to a female student who has completed one year of her two-year trade or technology diploma program.

    The Google Canada Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship
    Dr. Anita Borg is the founder of the Institute for Women and Technology, an institution which up to this day honours her legacy. Dr. Borg is largely known for her strong vision of the positive impacts of technology and how women can be active participants and key instigators in the technical revolution. A scholarship amounting to $5,000 CAD is awarded to a group of female undergraduate and graduate students. At the same time, the scholars are invited to visit Google for a networking retreat which include workshops with a series of speakers, panelists, breakout sessions and social activities.

    Are you ready to follow in the footsteps of revered female scientists like Anita Borg? If your answer is yes, you’ll definitely benefit from applying to the scholarships mentioned above.

    Sources:
    http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/06/magazine/why-are-there-still-so-few-women-in-science.html?_r=0
    http://www.nature.com/news/specials/women/index.html
    http://televisions.reviewed.com/features/the-greatest-science-tv-shows-of-all-time
    https://uwaterloo.ca/find-out-more/financing/scholarships
    http://women-innovation.techno-science.ca/?file=coollinks&Lang=e
    http://www.scwist.ca/category/scholarships/undergraduate_scholarships/
    http://www.google.ca/anitaborg/

  • Un Pas en Avant – Cinq Bourses d’Études pour les Femmes en Sciences

    La science a toujours été un sujet fascinant pour les gens, et il n’est pas étonnant que des émissions télévisées comme Le Monde de monsieur Wizard’s, Le monde de Beakman, Nova, et Bill Nye Le gars de la Science ont rempli les écrans des ménages pendant de nombreuses années. Toutefois, s’il y a une chose que ces spectacles ont enseigné au grand public, c’est que la science semble être un monde dominé par les hommes.

    Bien sûr, les temps changent, et bien que les scientifiques masculins restent encore à un nombre considérablement plus grand que les femmes scientifiques ces jours, il y a des possibilités illimitées pour les femmes d’entrer dans l’image et de prouver que les femmes scientifiques peuvent être aussi bonnes et peut-être même mieux que leurs homologues masculins.

    Mais d’abord, ceux qui cherchent à faire carrière en sciences devraient avoir la formation appropriée pour cela, et ci-dessous est un coup d’œil sur cinq bourses d’études qui peuvent vous y aider :

    Fondation Commémorative du Génie Canadien
    La FCGC a été créé en 1990 dirigée par Claudette MacKay-Lassonde, P.Eng. qui était président des Ingénieurs Professionnels de l’Ontario, à l’époque. Son objectif est d’offrir l’éducation des femmes dans les études d’ingénierie dans les écoles, collèges et universités partout au Canada. En 1998, l’architecture FCGC a été officiellement lancée. Trois ans plus tard, en 2002, le programme de bourses de l’organisation a été créé pour fournir une aide financière aux femmes qui cherchent à étudier en sciences. Depuis lors, plus de 600 femmes de tous le Canada ont reçu un coup de pousse de la bourse d’études, et 200 d’entre elles ont été couronnés de succès.

    Aspire Programme (Canadian National Railway)
    L’Aspire Programme du CN était créé en 2012 afin d’éclairer les jeunes femmes partout au Canada sur les opportunités dans le monde du chemin de fer. Il offre aussi des subventions pour appuyer l’éducation post secondaire des femmes qui sont intéressées dans des programmes liés aux activités principales du CN tels que l’ingénierie, le transport, la logistique, et d’autres.

    Debbe Gervin Memorial Entrance Award
    Ce programme de dotation a été lancé en 2001 en l’honneur de Debbie Gervin, qui était un bien-aimé des membres du corps professoral du British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Chaque année, la famille, les amis et la Société des Canadiennes dans la science et la technologie (SCST) attribue une bourse d’entrée à une étudiante dans les programmes du BCIT. Dans le même temps, l’organisation offre des bourses aux étudiantes dans le programme professionnel des technologies de l’information du BCIT.

    Le Dr Margaret Lowe Benston Memorial Scholarship
    Ce programme de bourses a été fondé en l’honneur de Margaret Lowe Benston qui a consacré beaucoup de son temps et son savoir-faire dans les domaines d’études des femmes et sciences informatiques. Même après son décès en 1991, Benston reste une source d’inspiration pour toutes les femmes dans le domaine de la science. La bourse est attribuée à une étudiante qui a complété une année sur ses deux années d’étude technique ou dans un programme de diplôme technologique.

    Le Google Canada Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship
    Le Dr Anita Borg est la fondatrice de l’Institut pour les femmes et la technologie, une institution qui jusqu’à ce jour honore son héritage. Dr. Borg est largement connu pour sa vision forte de l’impact positif de la technologie et de la façon dont les femmes peuvent être des participantes actives et les principales instigatrices de la révolution technique. Une bourse s’élevant à 5 000 $ CAD est attribuée à un groupe d’étudiants de premier cycle et d’étudiants diplômés de sexe féminin. Dans le même temps, les chercheurs sont invités à visiter Google pour une retraite de réseautage qui incluent des ateliers avec une série d’orateurs, des panélistes, des séances de discussion et des activités sociales.

    Êtes-vous prêt à suivre les traces de révérées femmes scientifiques comme Anita Borg? Si votre réponse est oui, vous bénéficierez certainement en appliquant pour ces bourses d’études mentionnées ci-dessus.

    Sources :
    Http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/06/magazine/why-are-there-still-so-few-women-in-science.html?_r=0
    Http://www.nature.com/news/specials/women/index.html
    Http://televisions.reviewed.com/features/the-greatest-science-tv-shows-of-all-time
    Https://uwaterloo.ca/find-out-more/financing/scholarships
    Http://women-innovation.techno-science.ca/?file=coollinks&Lang=e
    Http://www.scwist.ca/category/scholarships/undergraduate_scholarships/
    Http://www.google.ca/anitaborg/

  • La santé mentale et le gouvernement : faisons-nous assez?

    Le gouvernement en fait-il assez quand il s’agit de la santé mentale? Grâce à des événements tels que #BellLetsTalk et la Semaine de la santé mentale, il est facile de penser que beaucoup de choses sont faites pour effacer les stigmates entourant la maladie mentale. Et, oui, alors que nous progressons comme une société en termes de compréhension de la santé mentale et d’aide envers ceux qui luttent avec une maladie mentale. #BellLetsTalk, par exemple, ont signalé sur leur site que “un financement de Bell de 500 000 $ servira à élargir le fonds de prêts pour le développement d’actifs au sein des communautés de l’Ontario et bâtir un plan stratégique visant à étendre le programme à l’échelle nationale partout au Canada.” Mais, comme indiqué en juillet 2015 par le Globe and Mail dans un article intitulé ” Comment faire pour résoudre ce problème”, nous sommes encore loin d’aider de la façon dont nous devrions le faire.

    Inclus dans certaines des statistiques fournies, environ 70 % des problèmes de santé mentale sont censés débuter dans l’enfance ou l’adolescence. En outre, 75 % des enfants “n’ont pas accès aux services et aux traitements – malgré le fait que les enfants qui éprouvent des problèmes ettroubles de santé mentale et sont beaucoup plus exposés à un risque élevé d’en avoir l’âge adulte et sont plus susceptibles d’avoir d’autres complications de leurs problèmes sociaux et de santé.” Cela soulève un point intéressant étant donné que, même si j’ai seulement reconnu mes problèmes de santé mentale au cours de ma première année d’université, j’avais déjà affaires à des problèmes d’anxiété depuis mes huit ans. Et je n’ai pas traité de toutes les choses jusqu’à 11 ans plus tard parce que je ne comprenais pas ce qui se passait et je ne savais pas à qui m’adresser.

    Maintenant, ces statistiques s’étendent aussi dans le House First Initiative (HIF). Comme il est également signalé par le Globe and Mail, le coût annuel de la HFI pour la “plus gravement maladie mental des clients aux besoins les plus aigus” est de $19,582. Dans une interview réalisée par le même article, Steve Lurie, directeur exécutif de la section de Toronto de l’Association canadienne pour la santé mentale, a déclaré que, “non seulement il y a un droit à des logements sûrs et abordables, mais il devrait être un élément central de la santé mentale.” L’article poursuivait en disant que, ” plus de 10,416 personnes sont en attente de logement avec services de soutien, environ la moitié sont sans-abri ou dans des maisons précaires et certaines personnes, [Lurie] dit, ont été sur cette liste depuis près de cinq ans.” Lurie a conclu en disant que, ” donner aux gens leur propre place pour vivre ne fait pas seulement une bonne la politique publique, c’est une question de bon sens économique.”

    Alors que nous sommes sur la bonne voie vers la guérison et faire du monde un endroit plus favorable pour ceux qui sont en prises avec des maladies mentales, il reste encore beaucoup à prendre en considération lorsqu’il s’agit de savoir comment aider et comment aplanir les aspérités de traitements en santé mentale. Mais, nous sommes sur le chemin de la guérison.