Flujo de materiales Almacén de
INFORMACIÓN GENERAL
IV. Auditoría de mercadotecnia
discrimination? (This already exists in our Charter.) ... But
how will we find a place where I can enjoy the benefits of
membership in my community? Where will finding that
balance lie? What will it look like? What about discussions
on social inclusion?”
—PuBlIC, OnlIne PARtICIPAnt
It is worth remembering that, in the not-too-distant past, racist, sexist, and prejudiced beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours went largely unchallenged in Canada. It was also not that long ago that people confronting many health problems, including cancer, were afraid to speak in public about their condition, and that the needs of people dealing with physical challenges that required the use of a wheelchair were largely ignored.
To the extent that progress has been made over the past two decades on these other issues, we can be hopeful that the same can be accomplished – indeed must be accomplished – with respect to mental health problems and illnesses. In some cases, such as dealing with the challenges associated with physical disabilities, attitudes have changed to the point where stigma is no longer socially acceptable, and legal and policy frameworks have been put in place that not only offer protection from discrimination but also promote full inclusion in Canadian society.69
Ultimately, addressing stigma and discrimination is an issue of equity. People living with mental health problems and illnesses and their families must be accorded the same respect, rights, and entitlements, and have the same opportunities, as people dealing with physical illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, AIDS, and, indeed, as the general population.
To foster full inclusion in society, it is particularly important that efforts focus on the positive contributions to the community and to society at large made by people living with mental health problems and illnesses, as well as on their ability to recover and experience well-being.70 People living with mental health problems and illnesses must not only be able to access the services and supports they need to assist in their journey of recovery, but must have the opportunity to be active citizens and to participate fully in community life, as employers, workers, students, volunteers, teachers, caregivers, and parents.
Moreover, mental health programs and policies must be appropriately funded and supported at a level that is in keeping with the profound economic and social impact of mental health problems and illnesses on Canadian society, and that is consistent with the funding provided to the rest of the health care and related human services sectors. Mental health service providers must be recognized for the valuable role they play, and institutes of higher learning must provide adequate educational and training opportunities to meet the shortages of mental health service providers in Canada.
Clearly, inequities related to the broad determinants of health (such as income, education, and housing) have an impact on people living with mental health problems and illnesses, much as they have on the mental health and well-being of all people living in Canada. A mental health strategy must: (a) draw attention to the impact of these complex underlying issues on people living with mental health problems and illnesses and on the general population; and (b) call on all sectors to work together to address them.
It will be essential to directly and forcefully address all instances where people living with mental health problems or illnesses are discriminated against under existing social programs or in access to services. For example, existing income support, health insurance, and workers’ compensation programs should be examined to see if they treat people living with mental health problems and illnesses in a comparable fashion to other people in Canada who rely on them. What is more, it will be very important to initiate multi-sectoral action to address issues related to housing in order to eliminate the discriminatory gap that exists between the 15% of the population as a whole who need access to adequate and affordable housing and the 27% of people living with mental health problems and illnesses who confront the same challenge.71
Tackling the many dimensions of the issues relating to stigma and discrimination will require a multi-pronged approach. Research has shown that, as with mental health promotion initiatives more generally, the most effective anti-stigma strategies are targeted at specific populations or settings. They are responsive to diverse needs and cultures across the lifespan, and include a strong community engagement component. They also encourage direct contact with people living with mental health problems and illnesses.72
There are many ways in which people can begin immediately to tackle stigma and discrimination and to foster inclusion – and many of these are not difficult to do. For example, each of us can refrain from using language that labels and demeans people living with a mental health problem or illness, and talk with friends or family about our own or family members’ experiences with mental health problems and illnesses. We can question inaccurate portrayals of people confronting mental health problems and illnesses in the media, and do whatever we can to create an open, accommodating, and supportive atmosphere for people living with mental health problems or illnesses at work, at school, or in our communities.
Each of us must also take care of our own mental health, and the mental health of those closest to us. The more everyone living in Canada succeeds in improving their own mental health and well-being, and the more Canadian society as a whole values mental health and well-being, the more likely it is that those with mental health problems and illnesses will also be better supported.73 We must overcome us-versus- them thinking, and realize that we are all the same, working to achieve the best possible mental health.