Sudbury women share stories about mental health, addictions - Janet Gasparini

 Ontario women are twice as likely to suffer from symptoms of depression as men. As many as two-thirds of women with substance use issues also have mental health problems. Still, despite these numbers, only about 40 per cent of women who experience depression are visiting a doctor for help.

The Social Planning Council of Sudbury (SPCS) recently partnered with provincial health agency Echo: Improving Women’s Health in Ontario, to tap the views of local service providers and a diverse range of women. All the women had direct experience with mental health and addictions services. Their views will be reflected in Echo’s input to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s 10-year mental health and addictions strategy, Every Door is the Right Door.

Based on our consultation, there is clearly a need for a provincial mental health and addictions strategy that addresses the unique needs of women. Moreover, SPCS believes that policymakers need to better understand communities in the north to provide mental health and addictions programs and services that address local realities.

The province’s “Every Door” strategy seeks to address the fragmented system and services people must navigate as they struggle to find the solutions they need. This is a positive step.

Participants in our consultation highlighted the strong links between poverty, oppression and discrimination and trauma for women who experience mental health and addictions. To improve the mental health of women, they need to have an income and a roof over their heads. A community-based approach is therefore needed.

It is also time to address the stigma experienced by so many women who need access to mental health and addiction services. Women-focused services and programs that are based on a no shame/no blame philosophy are examples of appropriate and diverse mental health options to consider.

Based on our consultation, there is clearly a need for a provincial mental health and addictions strategy that addresses the unique needs of women.

Understanding that mental illness and addictions affects women in specific ways, SPCS is adding the voice of Sudbury women to those in Kitchener, Quinte, Toronto and Ottawa, in the report that Echo will send to the province.

The recent consultation with local women is one of the ways the SPCS and Echo is engaging with the broader health community and helping to ensure the needs of local women are addressed. We are grateful to all of the women who came to share their stories.

Janet Gasparini is executive director with the Social Planning Council of Sudbury.