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Our Mental Health System.

Canadian Mental Health System.

Recently I had an unusual experience, and I am trying to process the events that happened. On Wednesday at 1:00pm I had a meeting with someone who was in a position of authority and was providing me with a health care service. I highly respect this man, but what happened to me is leaving me scared to look after my mental health. We live in a culture now, that highly prizes health in general and we are always looking for ways to improve our health. The city where I live, has grown over the decades that I have lived here, and it seems like people like me who have lived here the longest are being pushed aside as the circumstances and the demand calls for serving those that just come here.

Progress can be a dangerous thing when we forget our heritage, however I think that Markham has a wonderful heritage and it should be protected, along with it's people. Being a person of disability for 20 years now, it has taken me 20 years to adjust to a new way of living. The pressure to get well comes from all areas of my world, and I feel that without my past, and without my family I would be lost. I have tried to build social networks in the Christian church community where I live, and there is nothing better than having real friends, not just social media contacts. Social Media builds on the real life interactions so in that way, I am glad to have as many social media contacts as I possibly can.

When you suffer from depression as I do and other mental health diagnosis, it's important to share with those who are willing to listen. I have had to rely on my faith more than ever, because even those who are willing to assist those in distress are human, and can't be relied upon entirely. I see the danger of going untreated for a serious mental health condition, but when you are being treated there is a temptation to give up some of your rights in the process of seeking to get better. I'm at the point right now where I am seriously considering seeking help from a different source than my regular support team, because part of staying well involves being creative about how to help yourself.

I used to sympathize with others who were in the same boat as me, but just like our changing world, the health system is changing along as our world is changing. We are all in the age of results, and results based technology and treatment, however it is sinking in seeking to help people like me. There has to be a strong element of compassion and heartfullness because we are already broken people wanting to get better and back into the society permanently. There has to be more compassion when treating those with emotion setbacks, because the way the world is constantly changing leaves a big hole in our mental health system and services, that those who are perceived to be doing well one day, could very well be hospitalized the next.

I'm not saying there is a definite way to keep you well all the time, and the system doesn't provide for that kind of care. What I am saying is that there should be more privatization of available care, so that when the current mental health system and services break down, there should be more options for those that have been rejected by the current system. This is Mike.

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