Mental Illness in Canada: The Gap

In the past few years I have come to learn the harsh reality it is to be a twenty something, middle-class, high functioning member of society, with a mental illness. I describe myself in all these ways because there are huge gaps in mental health services for people in these categories.

I am 24 years old, I have a college education, I have been working in my field in a successful career for five years, I make an average income; that can cover all my bills, I have great family and friends. But what most don't know is I suffer from Severe Depression and General Anxiety Disorder. My illness, like many mental illnesses is complicated, ever changing and the hardest dang thing I've ever lived.

I want to talk about the challenges I've had and continue to have in accessing treatment.

Counselling - I first tried seeing a Psychologist, I had coverage through my work benefits for $500.00 annually. With that only covering less than 5 sessions, after a month I had to stop accessing her services as a $150.00 weekly price tag wasn't in my budget. I than turned to community agencies to seek counselling. I went to one recommended in a neighboring city ( 20 mins from my house). I was turned down because my home dress was not withe the city, because their funders only support those with a city address. I than tried another agency, they took me for a 1 hour "emergency" session. I was charged $70.00 for this session. When I asked about coming back, I was told that my condition wasn't "severe" enough to access anymore counselling (despite being suicidal). They did however suggest I take a mood management course with them, but for a price tag of $250.00 ( also not in my budget as a young professional.)

Community Services - I have often been told to look into community organizations and agencies for counselling, programs and support groups. The issue with these services are they are primarily offered during business hours, when I am to be working. It isn't feasible to be taking time off work, to attend a program weekly. I also have found that these programs are catered to a higher risk population or targeted to lower income individuals and families. Where are the groups/programs being offered in the evenings and weekends for those struggling with mental illness that doesn't fall into a "severe" illness category?

Medical Support- When I first felt depressed and anxious I reached out to my family doctor for support. He questioned my feelings but agreed to put me on an anti depressant for six weeks. After the six weeks, and not feeling any better I returned to my doctor, he didn't even ask any follow-up questions nor check into to see how I was feeling. I explained my feelings of depression, suicide and anxiety. He told me to maybe try exercising. Yes exercise can be great, but I was in a much darker severe state that exercise was not going to fix. I than returned for a third time to talk about how I was feeling, I asked to be refereed to a psychiatrist. He didn't really know any in my city, so in front of me he googled some in the area( real professional). I left with the hope i'd be connected to a new medical professional soon. A few weeks had passed and I hadn't herd anything so I called my doctor's office. They told me that a fax had been sent to the psychiatrist but they hadn't gotten a response. I called back again after two more weeks and my doctor said " oh I guess we haven't gotten a response sorry." Instead of trying another Doctor to refer me to, he just dropped it. So for the 4th time I marched myself into his office, still dealing with depression, suicidal thoughts and anxiety. This time he referred me to a Psychiatrist he knew in the area, I was fine with the drive as long as I could see someone. So after nearly 15 months and multiple visits to my family doctor, I received treatment, taking time off work to travel to appointments, and carrying the shame and confusion into that office every visit. Our doctors need to be educated and well versed in Mental Illness. How to recognize it, how to treat it and how to support someone suffering with Mental Illness. 1 in 4 Canadians will experience some form of depression in their lifetime. This is something that Doctors are seeing so often, and aren't equip to deal with. Now I realize this post has been very negative towards medical professionals, but here is the positive. I now see a Psychiatrist monthly, who manages my mental health through counselling and medication. He is so wonderful and it has been such a game changer for me. I still struggle a lot, but I now have someone in my corner who is knowledgeable, caring and invested in my health.

Employment - If you know anything about Mental Illness, you know how much it can effect a person's day to day life. Once simple tasks become challenging, handling burdens that much harder, the stress and exhaustion take over. This often flows into a person's work, affecting their performance, appearance and attitude. I work in the non profit industry, I have a job with a heavy work load, working extra hours and working with volunteers, communities and stakeholders. Now on a good day I am a total people person, I love the challenges of my job and how rewarding a career in a non profit can be. But sometimes my illness takes over, and I am not running at one hundred percent. This often looks like a sad, non motivated, poorly performing employee. This is never my intention, it is simply symptoms of my illness, often out of my control. I have been judged, penalized and misunderstood in the workplace because of my mental illness. I strongly believe there is a big gap between employers and employees when it comes to Mental Health. Our employers need to be equipped with e education and resources to properly support and employ someone with mental health struggles. Our government needs to put policy and programs in place so the working middle class can receive proper treatment, support and time off. I used to always judge those who were on disability or government assistance because of mental health issues. Now I have experienced first hand how difficult it is to find employment that is inclusive and understanding to your illness. I have now had jobs I have had to leave because of my illness, and struggled to find options for leaves, sick days and support whiten the work place. For someone who is educated, hardworking, and career oriented, it is so difficult to access support and understanding around Metal Illness in the workplace.

Age - I am soon to be 25, and for a while now I have labelled my phase of life as the "skipped and forgotten" age. When you are a child and teen there are so many organizations, services and supports for mental health. I can remember when I was 12 contemplating suicide and a classmate told the teacher. Immediately a social worker was brought in and counselling was provided to me. Youth are a priority of many organizations, campaigns and government policies. Now I am in no way saying this is a bad thing, theses supports are so important in childhood and adolescence. When you move onto post-secondary education, the supports continue. Colleges and universities have trained staff and have programs and supports for their students suffering from mental illness, often free of charge. Mental health awareness and campaigns are spread across campuses. Once again this is great, this is needed. But than you graduate, you get a job, you get an apartment and you are on your own. I believe this is one of the hardest transitions in life. New grads and young professionals trying to navigate, careers, relationship, finances. The supports you were once surrounded by have disappeared. Fast forward a bit and there are services for family, parents, senior citizens. There is a big gap here and I believe more services need to be targeted and offered to those in this stage of life.

I am just one person who is on this journey, and everyone's experience with mental illness looks different from the next. I know that the struggles I have had accessing services and proper treatment are not unique to me however. This is a major problem in our country and one that seems to be not taken so seriously. Yes I am a capable, smart, and determined young lady and from the outside it may seem as though I do not need the support or services as badly as others do. But does that mean I should have to struggle and fight for my own rights to receive proper care?

If you are reading this and you've had similar experience, share your story. If you're someone who can help to make change, please do! If you are just someone who cares, share this story, and talk to those around you about what is going on in our country for Mental Health!