Changing minds

By Lacey Sheppy

For The Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

Annapolis County’s community mental health facilitator is hoping two new programs offered this fall will help local residents better understand mental illness. “This is a very real problem in our community,” said Dawn Scott, who works for the Cornwallis branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association. “There’s a lot of stigma associated with mental health problems and many people are not well informed about them. We tend to respond with fear and it causes us to isolate people.”

The first program, Mental Health First Aid, lasts two days and teaches participants to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness and guide a person towards an appropriate course of treatment. “It’s to equip everyday people with the knowledge and confidence to help people,” explained Scott. “It identifies five key steps and actually gives you a plan.”

Mental Health First Aid also aims to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness. Scott said if these issues were no longer taboo, people would likely feel more comfortable seeking professional help. “Depression and anxiety are very common,” she said. “Anxiety is a huge problem in our population. A lot of people don’t even know they have it. They just think they don’t handle stress well.” (Subhead)Changing Minds

The second new course, Changing Minds, also lasts two days and is an in-depth look at the lives of people with mental illness. “It’s incredibly eye-opening,” said Scott, adding the course includes videotaped interviews of people living with mental health problems. “People who attend this course are really motivated to share their experiences. It leaves a deep impression.”

Both courses are open to anyone who wishes to attend.

Scott said its important to offer services like this to rural Nova Scotia because most mental health programs and support groups are only available in larger centres like Windsor and Halifax. “I believe strongly in mental health education,” she said. “We all need to know how to deal with it.”

Mental Health First Aid can accommodate up to 20 people. The cost is $145 per person and includes a course manual and refreshments.

Changing Minds is limited to 12 people per session and costs $150 per person. This also includes a course manual and refreshments.

For more information, call Scott at 902-638-8164 or e-mail dawnscott@ns.sympatico.ca.