Jason's Lens: Building a Stronger Community in Wood Buffalo
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
Helen Keller, an American author, disability rights advocate, political activist, and lecturer was the first deaf and blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Her now-famous quote, “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much,” holds true every day of our lives.
Together, we really can!
All throughout history, togetherness has brought significant changes and provided so many opportunities to grow and progress.
The question we often ask ourselves at Some Other Solutions is: Are we doing our best to rejuvenate and build up a stronger community together in Wood Buffalo?
The research group Morneau Shepell, which provides human resources services, reported that anxiety and mental health is up substantially. A new survey suggests 25-percent of employees say they have become ill in the last six months and Canadians’ mental health continued to decline in November for the eighth consecutive month.
“Anxiety and depression are increasing.” Doctors all over Wood Buffalo, Alberta are seeing spikes in mental health visits.
Learning from history
We’re seeing a rise in mental health issues; however, we also know that we can become stronger during hard times. During the Great Depression, everyone was hit by a devastating economic recession and many people lost their livelihoods. Family incomes plummeted to a level lower than what we would today consider to be poverty. Home mortgages went into default leaving families with children without a roof over their heads or basic necessities.
During this period, groups got together to try and mitigate worry and suffering through projects such as job replacement services. The local chapter of the Red Cross assisted the community’s efforts to find the unemployed jobs. Small businesses joined forces donating milk weekly to families in need as well as bread, pastries, and vegetables several times a week to the local food pantry.
The power of community is undeniable. Charitable work was the foundation of the recovery.
The community of Wood Buffalo
More than 90 years later, we are once again seeing the need for community empowerment and togetherness.
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is cherished for its vast stretches of wilderness and endless opportunities for adventure including exploring unique sand dunes, hiking over 130 kilometers of scenic trails, camping in beautiful parks, fishing in pristine waters, or marvelling at the breathtaking colours of the Aurora Borealis.
But why do we truly fall in love with the area? It’s the instant sense of belonging you feel in the community. We feel the value of living in tight-knit neighbourhoods and what it means to bond. We share our strength with each other and build one another up in any way they need.
Nurturing the strength in our community
We feel the power of community in Wood Buffalo, but it’s not good enough to just assume that will always be there. We need to work together to nurture that power, to engage with individuals, families and businesses and continue to find strength to move forward.
How do we do that?
1. Promote mental health awareness. This focus on prevention and education increases the chances for early intervention, which can result in a faster recovery.
2. Support recovery and social inclusion. A lack of support can make mental health problems worse, leaving people not knowing where to turn. more than half of people with a mental illness don’t receive help for their disorders. This needs to change. Everyone in our community has a right to access whatever level of support they need.
3. Reduce stigmas and discrimination. Stigma and discrimination can contribute to worsening symptoms and the reduced likelihood of getting treatment.
Community plays a crucial role (to say the least) in helping and the wellness of those with mental health. The most united neighbourhoods are built on the acceptance of all individuals, no matter their social status or personal struggles. These communities bring people together physically and emotionally, instilling a sense of belonging that you truly can’t experience anywhere else.
These connections can turn into friendships that last a lifetime and bring us an endless amount of joy.
With COVID-19 still in our world, we need each other now more than ever!
What to do if you or someone you love is struggling with mental illness.
Always remember: you are not alone!
Our mission at Some Other Solutions is to serve families and individuals of The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, providing a holistic approach in overcoming crisis and trauma enabling them to re-establish positive relationships and a sense of connectedness within the community.
There are affordable options available to help with family, individual, couple, or youth counselling.
If you know anyone suffering from any mental health issues, please contact us immediately on our 24/7 Crisis Line 780-743-4357 (HELP).
If you would like to know more about or get involved with SOS, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.
References:
American Psychiatric Association