To the editor: Mental illness is an issue that the government needs to review again.
There are over 800 people who are not able to buy food or able to afford to pay for everyday living expenses. They may have to get help from mental health. There are farmers having a hard time getting their crops in, teenagers and young adults with serious drinking and drug addiction issues that can lead to a nervous breakdown.
The government needs to find out how to help a mental health client live a successful life again because people who suffer from mental illness can live normal, everyday lives. They can work, marry, become educated and own their own homes.
That said, there aren't enough programs to help a mental health client to go to school. There should be programs to help mental health clients use their talents, gifts, abilities and knowledge in a job program, a mental health awareness program or volunteer situation.
Mental health clients want to live a normal life, we all have a need to feel that we achieve something significant in our lives. To feel we are liked and admired. We need help to mental health clients achieve some of their goals to help them to feel better about themselves when they have the resources to help themselves and to be more independent.
Churches, businesses, schools, family, caregivers and mental health workers should figure out how to have a positive impact on the people who suffer from mental health illness. How can we help them form a good self-image and positive self-esteem? How can we encourage them to make their dreams come true and to build a positive life? We can't get life on a silver platter. No one is going to wave the magic wand and all of a sudden our problems are gone. So can someone in their lives help them to set small goals that lead to bigger results? That is why the government needs to invest in mental illness - because one day we will live better lives. It just takes time.
Stacie McLeod, Yorkton, SK.
