#david myles

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Measha Brueggergosman & David Myles - Whole To My Half

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Two of Halifax's music stars on tour David Myles & Classified

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Nova Scotian singers songwriter, David Myles

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Nova Scotian singers songwriter, David Myles On tour, in Quebec

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Tim's Awesome Road Trip Mix

My good friend Tim often drives the endless roads between Ottawa and Halifax. While I’d be tempted to play David Myles’ “Drive Right Through” all the way through New Brunswick, he is more diverse. He recently posted his road trip mix in his blog and I loved revisiting these songs and vowed to include some of them on my next road trip. He generously said I could reblog his piece, so here it is –…

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please enjoy the softest, steamiest love song ever to exist

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… And it's nights like tonight

That remind me just how fast time flies

Oh I can't think of anything better

If I could make this last forever, I'd try

… I'd tell the world to stop spinning around

I'd tell the stars to keep shining and the sun to stay down

'Cause a night like this hasn't come around in so long

I'd turn time off, then I'd turn you on

[davidmylesmd]

Strategies to Reduce Mental Illness Stigma

Stigmatizing means viewing anything deviant from what people consider normal as unpleasant or even disgraceful. Mental illness has long had a negative connotation, often because many don’t understand it. Fighting or reducing the stigma associated with mental illness necessitates showing how stereotyping impacts those who are dealing with it.

Public stigma occurs when a large part of the population believes individuals with mental illness are incompetent, dangerous, or responsible for their own conditions. Often, those holding these views rarely interact with people living with mental illness, whether at an informal or official level. Systemic stigma, on the other hand, refers to stereotypes within the system – laws or policies that prevent those with mental illness from obtaining essentials like a home or a job.

Education is vital to combat stigma. People need to understand what different mental health issues are, where they stem from, and how to manage them. Seeking such knowledge has two effects. First, it helps separate the person from the diagnosis, encouraging the use of person-first language. For instance, instead of referring to someone as schizophrenic, one can say that person has schizophrenia. Second, it helps people adjust their thinking, become less judgmental, and be more accommodating to those with mental illness.

Yet, education alone is not enough. People need to speak up when they witness mental health stigma, whether displayed through insensitive comments, attitudes, or language. Taking a stand and debunking myths empowers those with mental conditions to speak of their experience and be their own advocates.

Discrimination itself can have a detrimental effect on those with mental health challenges, often making it harder for them to seek help. Lending an ear and validating the feelings of the struggler encourages them to get the assistance they need. Support also extends to fundraising efforts that boost awareness and provide resources for mental health care.

On a broader scale, people can combat stigma by challenging media portrayals of those with mental health issues, which often shape public attitudes. Action against such portrayals can take the form of launching social media campaigns to hold conventional outlets accountable for their remarks or assumptions or writing direct letters to counter articles with stereotypical content.

Likewise, people can rally to change policies discriminating against individuals with mental illness, pushing for those that improve mental health situations. Such advocacy can include policies for equitable access to critical health services, social determinants of health (e.g., inclusion or poverty), and those focusing on thematic areas such as preventing mental illness and supporting rehabilitation.

Investing in mental health programs, particularly at institutions like schools or workplaces, can reduce stigma. For instance, employers can provide programs addressing the various needs of those struggling with mental health, ensuring ease of access and culturally sensitive care from qualified professionals. Having leadership dedicated to overseeing these offerings shows a commitment to mental support and well-being and fosters a culture of non-discrimination and encouragement for seeking help.

Various resources can help inform people about mental illness and combat related stigma. Websites and discussion materials, for instance, have factual information that individuals can use to correct common myths. Interactive activities such as empathy exercises also help people understand what it is like for someone to live with a mental illness. Moreover, screening tools can help people identify stigmatizing attitudes in themselves.