Welcome to the CrossCurrents editor's blog. In the course of researching stories for the print edition of CrossCurrents, I come across more interesting ideas, developments and resources than we can cram into an issue. This blog will deal with some of that overflow. It's also a chance to fill you in weekly about what's going on in the mental health and addiction field -- and for you to give us feedback.
The latest issue of CrossCurrents focuses on stigma and discrimination by health care providers, a group that has been overlooked because we dismiss these negative attitudes and behaviour as a problem among the general public; surely they don't happen in the health care system -- after all, we work in this field because we want to help people. But consumers of mental health and addiction services tell a different story. They cite stigma and discrimination from health care providers as a big barrier -- sometimes the barrier -- to recovery.
But health care providers are beginning to acknowledge their role in perpetuating stigma and discrimination and talk about what they can do to stop it. In the last two weeks I've heard about two forums in Ontario that will address this exact issue. Humber River Hospital in Toronto is hosting a workshop with Reconnect Mental Health Service and the Central LHIN about combating stigma among health professionals on March 19, from noon until 1:30 p.m. For more information, contact Yashyka Broomes at Humber River Regional Hospital at 416 658-2012.
A similar forum is happening in Ontario's North Simcoe Muskoka region on April 7, hosted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. The speakers will be psychiatrist Dr. David Goldbloom, vice-chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, and Tom Regehr, president of CAST Canada, which gives mental health and addiction workshops, and who himself has experienced trauma, addiction, homelessness and mental health issues.
Join the forum on April 7, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., in various locations of the Ontario Telemedicine Network across North Simcoe Muskoka. Register for this free event here.
In the meantime, I want to hear from frontline professionals across the country about what you are doing to fight stigma and discrimination in the health care system and in your professions.
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