Local mental health advocates took to the streets of New Glasgow for the 10th year running in an ongoing fight to break the stigma surrounding mental illness.
The Road to Recovery Walk was held under the banner of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia, but the locally-based Pictou County Mental Illness Family Support Group also supports people living with other conditions.
“Stigma has to come down. That’s what’s holding us back from services, it holds us back from funding,” said Cecilia McRae, co-facilitator for the Family Support Group.
Money raised from the Road to Recovery walk will stay in Pictou County and go towards the Bright Smiles project, which offers dental care to people living with mental illness.
McCrae said that nine local dentists have signed on to Bright Smiles so far.
“There’s people out there who need help,” she said.
But precious little help is available locally, as Pictou County residents living with both schizophrenia and other mental illnesses have no access to rehabilitative or long-term care to support them in their daily lives.
Mental health provision at New Glasgow’s Aberdeen hospital including psychiatry services have also seen cuts, forcing people to seek support elsewhere if they can do so.
This leaves only emergency help for people who suffer a mental health crisis, such as suicidal thoughts.
The opposition Progressive Conservatives have included greater mental health service provision in their manifesto and Pictou East MLA Tim Houston came to support the marchers.
But the road to recovery for local people living with mental illnesses remains a long one.
“We don’t have a lot of extra services here for schizophrenia [or other mental illnesses],” said McRae. “We’re lacking that in all rural areas of the province.”
Organizations like the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia attempt to fill the gap.
The group is a community volunteer network who support both people with schizophrenia or psychosis, as well as their loved ones.
Locally, the Family Support Group plays a similar role, but their mandate also includes helping those affected by depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, personality disorders and other mental illnesses.
To contact the Family Support Group, please call Elaine Garland at 902-695-6118 or email her at [email protected].
Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can call 1-888-429-8167 toll-free. The Kids Help Phone is 1-800-668-6868. Both lines operate 24-7. People can also visit http://www.nshealth.ca/mental-health-and-addictions-intake-phone-numbers for more information on where to get help.
In an emergency please call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance.
