Mental Health in Need of Help for Racialized Communities

Mental Health concerns include high levels of anxiety, high risk of depression, and a high risk of addiction and violence.  Wouldn’t you want treatment if you were going through one of these concerns? Well racialized people do not get that help. “Social and economic impacts of racism have a negative impact on mental health prospects for racialized groups and Aboriginal communities” (Racial discrimination and mental health: Racialized and aboriginal communities, 2004).  Mental health systems are not getting the accurate mental health services needed for these communities and that is becoming a problem.

Racialized people have mental needs and they should be getting the support and attention they need “a few psychiatric services respond specifically with research, clinical support, programming, organizational change, health promotion or community collaboration that indicate cultural competence, understanding or awareness in a systemic manner.... but there is a lack of access, poor culturally appropriate access, services and low commitment to meaningful organizational change with sector”(Racial discrimination and mental health: Racialized and aboriginal communities, 2004). They cannot get the support needed if no one sees that there is nothing to help them and most members of these communities have no knowledge of the programs to be of any help. “There are many issues which affect equitable access to mental health services for members of racialized communities, these include: information only in English and French, few culturally specific outreach initiatives, poor referral relationships with community agencies, problematic physical location, and lack of awareness of community and community needs and issues by mainstream institutions” ( Racial discrimination and mental health: Racialized and aboriginal communities, 2004). All of these issues provide limitations for racialized people to access mental health needs.

Racial discrimination in mental health services cause “a disproportionate number of racialized groups and Aborginal populations with mental illnesses” (Racial discrimination and mental health: Racialized and aboriginal communities, 2004) which do not benefit them from prevention of mental illnesses. This is a serious problem because mental illness affects most of us at some point in our lives and getting the treatment necessary is important to better your life and yourself. “If racism is a cause of mental illness in ethnic minority groups, a public health approach may be needed to counter this. Acknowledgement and understanding of institutional racism in psychiatry and linked services such as housing, benefits and education could form the basis for secondary and tertiary preventive efforts.”(Does racial discrimination cause mental illness, 2001).

 

Alyssa

 

References:

Kafele, K. (2004, December). Racial discrimination and mental health: Racialized and aboriginal communities | Ontario Human Rights Commission. Ontario Human Rights Commission |. Retrieved from http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/racial-discrimination-and-mental-health-racialized-and-aboriginal-communities

McKENZIE, K. (2001). Does racial discrimination cause mental illness? The British Journal of Psychiatry. Retrieved from http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/180/6/475.full

Doctor Shortage

Doctors in Canada

 It’s funny how we have a doctor shortage in Canada, yet we have a foreign trained doctors giving up on pursuing their careers in Health care as Canada doesn’t recognize their licenses. If our government would concentrate on a solution to this problem we would have the doctors we so desperately need. 

We are one of the lowest ranking countries at the moment when it comes to doctor patient ratios, whereas ten years ago we were praised for our great heath care system.  In Canada’s past woman used to be midwifes, and they took care of woman having babies. Our male doctors in Canada believed that having a baby was a medical condition that needed assistances of an able bodied male, not a natural occurrence. They then launched a campaign and it was put into effect, which made the prestige of the work go up, as well as the price. (Foster, 2008) The women are finally back into the child birthing process but white males are still the dominating factor in Canada’s Heath Care System. Foreign trained doctors are leaving the heath care field from lack of money or resources to pursue a career in other areas. Someone born in Canada has many avenues to take in order to get the help needed to start practicing, and foreign trained doctors have no available avenues in Canada to help them. To me this is bewildering.  I do not see how this makes sense to any rational person never mind our government who are supposed to be looking out for Canadians best interests. In ten years from now if nothing is done concerning this issue I am scared to see what will happen. People dying because they cannot get the proper heath care from a physician? 24 hour wait in a hospital to see a doctor? I am worried that things will continue to stay the same and our health care system will continue to decline in order to keep it predominantly white male. (Foster, 2008)

Predominantly definition: Having greatest ascendancy, importance, influence, authority, or force (Farlex, 2012)

 I think that everyone should be seen as equal, as Canada is supposed to be about equality and not about the country you came from or trained in. This paper I read has opened my eyes to the realty of the issue of racism still going on in the Canadian society today.

Kate 

Works Cited

Farlex. (2012). The Free Dictionary. (F. Inc, Editor) Retrieved Novemeber 20, 2012, from The Free Dictionary .com: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/predominantly

Foster, L. (2008, June 20). Foreign Trained Doctors in Canada: Cultural Contingency and Cultural . International Journal of Criminology and Sociological Theory, 1, 1-25.

UNCONSCIOUS RACISM

"Racism can be defined as views and actions that people might have or show of/to another race that might make them inferior or superior to other races." (Wikipedia, 2012)

"Unconscious racism arises out of viewpoints, fears and stereotypes of which people are unaware." (Carpenter, 2002)

Check out the first minute of this video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvqXh83IJgM

Unconscious rasicm can create the view that this first nations individual was referring to a drug addiction but infact was not.

Unconscious racism occurs more than we would like to imagine and can occur almost everywhere.

Perhaps, this unconscious racism stems from or history of racism and what we are taught at a young age about racism.

Now check out this video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOHbtM9463c

Ask yourself "what could be the causes/influences of the childrens answers to the questions being asked ?"

"In those with racist tendencies, a surge of activity was seen in part of the brain that controls thoughts and behaviour. Scientists believe this reflected volunteers' attempts to curb their latent racism. After interacting with real black individuals, the same group performed poorly in a task designed to test mental resources. The American researchers concluded that harbouring racial prejudice, even unintentionally, stirred up an inner struggle that exhausted the brain." ( Cline, 2003)

John Barnes has told ESPN that "we are all unconscious racists"
Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/172340.html#bjBVzGVVXzLZU1Yh.99


Sheri


Cline, A. (November 22, 2003). Identifying Unconscious Racism. In Agnosticism / Atheism. Retrieved November 14, 2012,
from http://atheism.about.com/b/2003/11/22/identifying-unconscious-racism.htm.


undefined. (November 8, 2012 ). Racism. In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Retrieved November 14, 2012,
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism

Federal Funding Cuts to First Nations

         Federal Funding Cuts to First Nations
There have been major funding cuts that affect First Nations peoples and if the media can be believed there are many more to come. The First Nations people are still healing from the traumas of residential school, the sixties scoop, and the process of Colonization. The First Nations people are returning to their culture and traditions which provides foundation for balanced living. There need to be an end to the racist, radical European style of communication and justice. The Federal government continues to ignore the promises made to the First Nations Peoples in the treaties from the past. It is imperative that we ask why this is happening.  The government must find a way to help the First Nations People heal. Thousands of people are in astronomical pain due to the decisions of this "neoliberal ideology."
       "We're vulnerable right now,” (Porter, November 2012). Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Harvey Yesno told almost 50 chiefs gathered for a meeting in Thunder Bay on Tuesday, November 13th, 2012. With the funding Cuts that are going to happen, the First Nations communities could be bankrupt. "We are going have to rely on our communities” (Porter, November, 2012), he stated. According to Mullaly (2007) in the summary of liberal views, “Social reform is valued as long as it improves society for individuals, but does not fundamentally change its nature “(p. 97). The federal government is not making these cuts on the basis of improving society for the better. Mullaly (2007) also encourages us to,   “Act in best interests of all society” (p. 97). Clearly the First Nations peoples best interests are being ignored by the Federal, Provincial and local Governments.
      Chief Yesno believes this lack of financial support is an opportunity for growth. "Being freed from government money, means being free to deal with real advocacy:  (Porter, November,  2012). He is embracing the reality and turning it into a positive outlook for his people. The resiliency of the First Nations peoples shows once again. Governments are clearly not acknowledging the treaty agreements of our ancestors. Social justice dictates that we must meet the obligations of our ancestors and begin to address the wrong that has been inflicted upon the First Nations Populations.
Poverty, addictions, and crime are on the increase in our society.  Several First Nations people will become victims to capitalism, and they are not alone.  Our society must join together as one and fight the government for the rights of all people.
Heather.

Refernce List:
B, Mullay. (2007). The New Structural Social Work. Oxford University Press.

Porter, J. (Nov,14,2012). First Nations brace for 'nefarious' funding cuts. CBC News. Retreived from http://www.cbc.ca/news/

Racial Profiling Still Existing In Canada

Racial profiling is the act of suspicion (suspicion of crime for example) on racialized people. It can occur in areas such as employment, education, housing, services, etc. Racialized people face many challenges in which racial profiling is often the cause.

"In 2009/2010, the percentage of hate crimes was highest in race/ethnicity being approximately 55 %, compared to religion 28 % , sexual orientation 15 % and other motivations 4 %." (Dowden, C. and Brennan, S. 2012)

Another study found that "police within a majority of white were 3.7 times more likely to stop a black as a Caucasian, and 1.4 times more likely to stop an aboriginal or black person than a white." (CBC News Online, 2005).

This has horrible effects on individuals when it comes to their mental health, housing, employment, education, the services they are offered and these individuals often face unfair treatment in all these areas.

One thing an individual can do when experiencing racial profiling is to make a complaint to The Alberta Human Rights Commission.

Organizations by law are to operate completely without racial profiling.

With Ontario, Canada being so diverse, you would expect amalgamation but instead racialized individuals in Ontario are still often forced to assimilation.

"Ontario was the highest rated in a study of hate crime among Canada." (Dowden, C. and Brennan, S. 2012)

Ontario, Canada then should practice and focus more on racialized people and traditional and modern multiculturalism to help address racial profiling.

　
Sheri
Dowden, C. and Brennan, S. . (April 12, 2012). Statistics Canada. In Police-reported hate crime in Canada, 2010.

Retrieved Nov. 14, 2012, from
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2012001/article/11635-eng.htm#a4.

. (May 26, 2005). CBC News Online . In INDEPTH: RACIAL PROFILING . Retrieved Nov. 14, 2012,

from
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/racial_profiling/.

. (March 2012). Alberta Human Rights Commission. In Racial profiling. Retrieved Nov. 14, 2012,

from
http://www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca/publications/bulletins_sheets_booklets/sheets/protected_grounds/racial_profiling.asp.

Tuition

Being a university student everyone complains about tuition, the cost and fees of going to school when really we should be lucky to be enrolled into post-secondary education. Not everyone is as fortunate as we are, I'm not saying we have it easy because everything isn't as easy as it seems. I'm saying that some individuals do not have the same opportunity we have to further our education. 

Many individuals think that First Nations students receive free tuition, and I was one of those individuals.  "What is true is that First Nations can apply to their First Nation for funding for some Post Secondary education. If approved students may receive tuition and books for their program for a limited time (usually 4 years for undergraduate studies) and may also get a small monthly student allowance." (Common myths about First Nations: Post Secondary, 2010). First Nation people should have the same opportunity as everyone else to get the chance to be educated in post-secondary education. "Education at all levels is an Aboriginal and Treaty right recognized in the Canadian Constitution Act of 1982." (Aboriginal Education, 2008) so why don't all aboriginals get the chance to go to post-secondary, why do they get turned down because of the lack of funding? That is not fair and just, everyone is equal and we should all get the chance to be able to attend and receive further education.

The cost of post-secondary education is high enough along with the cost of books and supplies. The government should be making post-secondary education easier for each individual to succeed rather then fail and be in debt. Tuition should be lowered so that everyone can have an equal opportunity to get the education they need. The students at university are our future generation, so why not let us succeed and give everyone the chance to have the job and career they always wanted. 

By: Alyssa

References: 

CFS - Aboriginal Students. (2008). cfs-fcee.ca. Retrieved from http://www.cfs-fcee.ca/aboriginal/english/campaigns.php

Southwick, T. (2010, December 10). Yukon College: First Nations Initiatives Blog. Yukon College. Retrieved from http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/blogs/fni/common_myths_about_first_nations_post_secondary

First Nations and the Unfair Criminal Justice System

“Aboriginal people in Canada are at greater risk both for being victimized by violent and personal crimes, and for being negatively involved in the criminal justice system”(Social Challenges: The Well-being of Aboriginal People, 2003). First nation peoples are perceived to be delinquents in the criminal justice system, which I think is a rude assumption.  Aboriginals should be treated fairly in the criminal justice system just like every other race but instead they have all these negative assumptions against them. Statistics show “that Aboriginal people represent only 2.8% of the Canadian population, they account for 18% of those who are incarcerated in federal institutions.”(Social Challenges: The Well-being of Aboriginal People, 2003). If Aboriginals only represent 2.8% of the Canadian population, then why discriminate against them? It is sad to hear that Aboriginal people are at risk for being victimized by violent crimes and are negatively involved in the criminal justice system, but maybe they are negatively involved because they are at greater risk of being victims too.

“The number of incarcerated Aboriginal inmates in federal and provincial facilities, particularly in the Prairies, is still increasing though many of the crimes committed are minor offences.”(Aboriginal People and the Criminal Justice System, 2000). If they are minor offences then why be put in jail? I don’t think anyone should be punished unless they deserve it. It is not fair to arrest an Aboriginal for a minor offence, just because they are Aboriginal. If the offence is minor then they shouldn't have to deal with the consequences.

“Aboriginal people in Canada were deprived of their land, their cultural traditions, and their unique way of life. Children were removed from their families and sent away to residential schools – where many were abused.”(Social Challenges: The Well-being of Aboriginal People, 2003).  First Nation peoples should have not gone through that especially in Canada, when we are supposed to be the Peace-Keepers. That happened a long time ago but it still happened, and it still affects us today.

We live in the 21^st century where all of the stereotyping and racism should be put behind us. Everyone should be treated with fairness and equality, and not be discriminated against. When it comes to the criminal justice system in Canada I believe that only the people committing crimes and are guilty to the crime should be punished no matter what race or ethnic background. We all follow and abide to the same laws.

By: Alyssa

References:

Social Challenges: The Well-being of Aboriginal People. (2003). CCSD. Retrieved from http://www.ccsd.ca/cpsd/ccsd/c_ab.htm

Aboriginal Peoples and the Criminal Justice System. (2000, May 15). CCJA. Retrieved from http://www.ccja-acjp.ca/en/aborit.html