Fighting Stigma and Finding Support
The Circles program is designed to increase collaboration between community partners to tackle community-wide barriers to help reduce poverty. Each year, Circles Sudbury participants work collectively with the Partners to End Poverty Steering Committee to identify one key issue to focus on at the community level to address poverty. This is called the annual “Big View”. The Big View benefits our Circles program participants and their families but also focuses on the 21 000 other members across our community currently living in poverty. In 2019, instead of just 1 issue, 2 interconnected issues were prioritized by Circles participants to focus jointly on in 2019 and 2020: stigma and challenges with mental illness and accessing mental health supports, and the lack of access to affordable housing. The identification of mental health as a priority aligns with Public Health Sudbury and Districts commitment of valuing mental health equally with physical health and ongoing agency efforts support mental health in our communities described in the Public Mental Health Action Framework.
On March 11, 2020, the Fighting Stigma and Finding Support event was held at Science North. The event co-sponsored by the Northern Ontario School of Medicine’s Dean Speaker Series and Public Health Sudbury & Districts. The event was held to raise public awareness about the stigma and discrimination faced by individuals with mental health conditions, and the importance of social supports. The event also shared real life stories and challenges of accessing mental health supports, securing affordable housing, and living in low income in our community from the voices of those most affected.
The event included a lecture from mental health advocate Amy Willans and an interactive Photovoice art exhibit produced by participants (Leaders) in the Circles program.
The goals of the Fighting Stigma and Finding Support event were to raise awareness and inspire action to address:
- the difficulties of accessing mental health supports and stigma
- the challenges of accessing affordable safe housing
- the importance of social support for everyone
Who attended?
Approximately 150 community members and decision-makers from across Greater Sudbury attended this event.
Watch the video to see snapshots from the Fighting Stigma and Finding Support Event.
Circles Sudbury Photovoice Project
Photovoice is a research method where participants take photographs to identify personal concerns, depict struggles, and increase awareness of community issues. The method of Photovoice was designed to empower participants, and often helps those whose voices are unheard to gain a voice on the issues affecting their lives. The Circles Sudbury Photovoice Project provided Circles Leaders (participants) with an opportunity to creatively record and reflect on their own experiences with mental illness, stigma, housing, and social support. The images and text created within the project provided a platform to tell stories of lived experience to a greater audience with the goal of creating awareness, compassion, and encouraging social action.
The Circles Sudbury Photovoice project focuses on:
- the difficulty of accessing mental health supports and stigma
- the lack of affordable housing
- the benefits of social support provided through the Circles Program
The images and associated narratives for each image were turned into large art works and displayed at the Fighting Stigma and Finding Support event. The entire collection was also put together in a book and given to the Circles Leaders in gratitude for sharing their experiences so generously through this project.
Below is a copy of all of the pieces developed through this project.
Living in a toxic environment effects every aspect of your life. I reached out to countless community agencies for assistance and was unsuccessful because my situation didn’t meet their criteria. I was stuck on a path with no end in sight.
I have two beautiful children, who both have autism. I may never hear my son’s voice and my daughter will have many struggles. Yet, love needs no words. Living in poverty is difficult enough. The lack of autism services and the cuts to what little services we did have means that I must carry my family even more.
Depression and anxiety not only effects the person experiencing it but their whole family. For me, it has gotten to the point where it took over my whole life. Mental health stigma prevents people from seeking the support they need. If these medications were for a physical illness nobody would give it a second thought but when they are used for mental illness everyone has something to say.
It’s hard to afford the basic necessities of life. When you live in subsidized housing you are surrounding by those sharing the similar experiences of survival. Everyone is struggling to make ends meet, people are always looking for support. Usually its small things like an extra cup of sugar, a bag of milk or a few eggs. Except the reality is these aren’t small things, when you have to choose between giving to someone in need or feeding your own children.
Living in poverty and the lack of affordable housing within the city requires my family to live in subsidized housing. Our home is filled with love, we have a roof over our heads and food in the fridge despite the many barriers we face. We are often compared to society’s views on what a “good” family is. Living in poverty is stigmatized, and is not viewed as a good family. I live in constant worry that the unexpected knock at my door will be a child welfare worker.
The lack of affordable housing means I have to make difficult choices. I have to choose between buying my children a new pair of shoes or paying my rent. Nobody should have to choose between basic necessities of life.
I can’t see past my mental illness, that’s why it covers my eyes. It’s blocking my mouth because my emotions are blurred and it’s hard to know what to feel when and who to express it to. All anyone can see is the pretty outline I give you. I feel the need to put a brave face on for my friends and family to mask what’s really going on with me.
My mental illness cause me to question my own strength. I believe I am not strong enough. There is a constant lack of confidence. It gets to the point that I want to rip my own hair out in frustration.
When you move into poverty you move into filth. When you live in poverty finding housing with $500.00 isn’t about the perfect location or the right amount of space. It’s about choosing whether you want to live with bed bugs and roaches, or unsanitary shared spaces. These aren’t choices people living in poverty should have to make.
My Ally and I always do a fist bump when we meet. This photo symbolizes friendships that I have made.
Circles allowed me to gain confidence. Prior to Circles, leaving the house was a challenge. This photo represents not wanting to go but taking little steps and finding your light within the darkness.
The connections I made in Circles helped me flourish, share my interests and give back to my community.
I didn’t expect to overcome my fears and my past. Circles helped me realize that I am strong enough, I am smart enough and I can achieve my goals.
This photo wouldn’t have happened without Circles. I wouldn’t have ever pursued college. Circles made me realize it’s never too late to go to school, achieve your goals or strive to be who you truly want to be.
Circles has shown me that you don’t have to face things alone as long as you have the right people supporting you!
It’s hard to find authentic support in Sudbury. Allies understand, they check in on me and no matter what they are there.
Circles gave me the ability to let go of the past, helped me be grateful of what’s important to me now, while supporting me to see the strength and resiliency in my life, which makes me look forward to the future.
Mental health advocate Amy Willans
Amy Willans, 2019
Amy Willans is an award-winning mental health advocate, writer, and speaker based in Edmonton. Amy shared her experiences with mental illness, stigma and hope through a powerful and impactful lecture at the Fighting Stigma and Finding Support event. Amy also studied the Circles Photovoice Project pieces created by participants in the program and was so moved by the photos and stories that she wrote a letter dedicated to the Circles participants that she shared at the end of her lecture. The beautiful and touching letter dedicated to Circles Sudbury Leaders (participants) is located below.
Letter to Circles Sudbury participants, in response to their photographs, March 2020
I’ll settle for the snow, as long as it comes with gentleness.
For the rain, as long as there is an umbrella.
For the darkness, as long as there is dawn.
I’ll settle on forgiveness, because of the sweet smell of lilac.
I’ll settle for the smile from the nurse, the one who cares for my father. For my sister and her beautiful children. How the noise of their chatter is comforting.
I wanted to write a poem about courage. Instead, it’s a poem about tenderness. The muffins rising in the oven. Bowls of cantaloupe and peaches.
I wanted to tell you that you moved me, not like wind, but with beauty. How I couldn’t look away. How I’m forever changed by an image.
I want to promise you a delicate touch of a hand. I want to bring softness to pain. I want to promise security and warmth and safety. But I can’t do that. Instead, I’ll pass you hope and a soft shoulder and a handwritten map. I’ll be your witness, your companion, perhaps a compass.
I’ll settle for the road, as long as there is a signpost or a tree, that marks the perfect spot to turn, to find the perfect spot to sit. It’s out in the pasture and there’s a creek, and I don’t think anyone will be there, and I think you’ll find some peace.
I’ll settle for a bath, warm and softened with lavender. My skin tingling with warmth, the cat on the counter watching the bubbles pucker-up and then leave.
I’ll settle for an oven that smokes. For the food I gently prepare. For my fingers smelling of garlic and leek.
I want to talk about all the difficult decisions: Food or rent? Heat or shoes?
When you’re trapped in an unsettled mind. When sadness claws and shadow breaks, what do you do?
It’s courage that holds us tight, reassures us to continue.
I didn’t know that I would skate again. I didn’t want to hope. But I’ll settle for the cold ice, as long as there are two blades and some blue knitted mittens. How I still love the chill and the speed and the smell of Zamboni gasoline.
I’ll settle for this body, although tired and creaky. For my cheeks, and my freckles. I’ll try kindness instead of cruelty.
There is a home that I always dream about. Its roof is slanted and high, but it leaks. And the paint runs down the walls and the beams begin to loosen and weep. And all the china, in the china cabinet, cracks and falls to pieces, and the silver tarnishes and the paintings grieve.
But for some reason in the dream, I don’t want to leave. Because it is my home, although broken and beat.
But I’ll settle for the home I have now, it’s easy to give in to, smells of vanilla and after shave.
I’ll settle for the bare trees, because soon they will fill.
Courage is an act.
Tenderness is a heart.
How the two are inseparable. To open takes courage. To allow in the snow and the rain and all the disappointments that come with this life, so tender.
To dream and need and want and desire. To leave and open and listen, really listen. All acts of courage.
To roast a chicken with onion and butter. To peel potatoes and corn. To put a little bit of salt and a little bit of pepper, then, rub the skin and wish it well, is tenderness.
I’ll settle for this path, although uneven. For the curve and the light rain. How unpredictable, yet beautiful, the emerging green.
The little girl in me loved too many things. Stretched her heart so thin. Instead, settle for the fence as long as there is a gate. Settle for the bushes when you desire escape. Help the blue jay when a wing is broken, water the thirsty petunias, kiss your father on the cheek, because you know one day he’ll find peace.
I’ll settle for this evening. Raw and hopeful. A blessing. For where there is shadow, there is light. For that part of you that insists on living. How very grateful I am to be here with you.
Acknowledgements
Public Health Sudbury & Districts is extremely grateful to the following for their support with the Fighting Stigma and Finding Support event.
- Individuals from the Circles Sudbury program who shared their personal stories and worked with us to develop the Photovoice exhibit.
- The Northern Ontario School of Medicine’s Dean Speaker Series partnership for supporting the event.
- Partners to End Poverty Steering Committee for their ongoing commitment to the Circles Sudbury initiative.
This item was last modified on November 12, 2020