{"id":86242,"date":"2020-06-10T08:41:31","date_gmt":"2020-06-10T12:41:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntsville.dopperonline.ca\/?p=86242"},"modified":"2020-06-10T08:50:45","modified_gmt":"2020-06-10T12:50:45","slug":"mental-health-mp-scott-aitchison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/mental-health-mp-scott-aitchison\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental health support is available, ask for help: MP Scott Aitchison"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

By Parry-Sound Muskoka MP Scott Aitchison<\/em><\/p>\n

One of the most important things about our current public health crisis is maintaining good mental health.<\/p>\n

We, as human beings, are social creatures by nature, so the lockdowns and personal isolating resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have knocked a lot of us off our feet.<\/p>\n

<\/broadstreet-zone><\/strong><\/div>\n

Mental health experts tell us that in times like this, people are more vulnerable to feelings of depression, anxiety, or even suicide. Workers have lost jobs, businesses are struggling to stay afloat, and families can\u2019t pay their bills.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, many parents are facing the twin challenges of working from home, as well as having to home school their children.<\/p>\n

At top of everything else, there is widespread fear of the unknown. What does the ‘new normal’ look like? What does the future hold?<\/p>\n

Some of us are frustrated and even angry. Why does there seem to be one set of rules for some people, yet a different set of rules for others? We\u2019ve all heard the stories of the families who were not able to be with a loved one when they died. Yet thousands can gather in our streets\u2014seemingly with the tacit approval of some politicians and authorities.<\/p>\n

These are certainly challenging times, my friends.<\/p>\n

Last month in this space I called on folks to be kind. This month I am asking folks to think twice before judging someone. Think about the personal or professional challenges they might be facing. Think about how they might be struggling to get through this crisis.<\/p>\n

We have strong mental health supports and resources in Parry Sound-Muskoka. We need to continue to build on our strengths and invest wisely in the future. Today\u2019s public health crisis has proven things can change quickly, and dramatically.<\/p>\n

One way to address this would be better coordination between the federal and provincial governments in terms of local mental health funding and service delivery. I also think we should look at breaking down silos locally.<\/p>\n

I am also mindful of the mental health of First Nations residents in the Riding. We know from research that mental health needs are significant in First Nations communities.<\/p>\n

Again, there is great work being done by physicians and counsellors in First Nations communities. Now is the time to build on that effort, by making strategic investments in psychiatric services and treatment.<\/p>\n

I believe the worst is behind us. As individuals, and as a community, we are on the verge of starting to get on with our lives\u2014albeit modified to adapt to the \u2018new normal\u2019 post-COVID.<\/p>\n

While the current crisis has intensified and created additional mental health challenges, they won\u2019t just disappear overnight. We will need to deal with the fallout, and we will need to invest in longer-term mental health supports to help folks get back on their feet.<\/p>\n

Let me conclude by saying if you need help, get help. Depression and anxiety are illnesses, not weakness.<\/p>\n

Reach out to the Muskoka-Parry Sound Chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association at mps.cmha.ca<\/u><\/a> for resources. If you can\u2019t find help, give us a call (705-789-4640). We\u2019ll go to bat for you and your family. We may not have all the answers, but we can certainly help you try to find them.<\/p>\n

(Photo of Parliament Hill by festivio on Pixabay. Photo of Scott Aitchison courtesy of Scott Aitchison.)<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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<\/broadstreet-zone>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Parry-Sound Muskoka MP Scott Aitchison One of the most important things about our current public health crisis is maintaining good mental health. 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