Royal Association for Deaf people’s Post

The topic of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) for individuals with severe mental illness sparks controversy both in Canada and globally. It's crucial that we carefully consider and reflect on all perspectives and viewpoints surrounding this complex issue. In an opinion piece for the Toronto Star, a call to halt the expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) to include those with mental illness as the sole underlying condition is made by Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov. He argues that current MAID eligibility criteria do not accurately predict irreversibility in mental disorders, and psychiatrists often fail to forecast patient improvement. Furthermore, the distinction between suicidality and seeking MAID for mental illness alone is blurred, raising concerns about discrimination and ethical implications. Chochinov urges the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying to exercise caution and consider the complex issues at hand before proceeding with the expansion. Read here: https://bit.ly/48gqhAq #ElisPlace #WhereRecoveryGrows #FightTheStigma #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealth #BridgeTheGap #Resilience #Recovery #CanadianMentalHealth #MentalHealthToronto #MAID

UK Government’s Mental Health Bill Announcement - Bringing Mental Health Act into the 21st Century? With over 50,000 patients sectioned each year mental health charity Mind has responded to the UK Government’s new Mental Health Bill, welcoming steps towards reform but urging further action to protect patient rights and address longstanding issues in mental health care. Removing prison and police cells as 'places of safety' and statutory care and treatment plans goes some way to address change although more is needed..  Will this bill bring the transformative change needed in mental health care? 👉 Click to read the full response: https://lnkd.in/edKdYQsT #MentalHealth #MentalHealthReform #PatientRights #UKPolicy #MindCharity

UK Government’s Mental Health Bill Announcement - Bringing Mental Health Act into the 21st Century? With over 50,000 patients sectioned each year mental health charity Mind has responded to the UK Government’s new Mental Health Bill, welcoming steps towards reform but urging further action to protect patient rights and address longstanding issues in mental health care. Removing prison and police cells as 'places of safety' and statutory care and treatment plans goes some way to address change although more is needed..  Will this bill bring the transformative change needed in mental health care? 👉 Click to read the full response: https://lnkd.in/eUyNfjjx #MentalHealth #MentalHealthReform #PatientRights #UKPolicy #MindCharity

TW: Suicide It’s #WSPD #worldsuicidepreventionday today. About 20% of us experience suicidal ideation, ranging from wanting to ‘go to sleep and not wake up’ through to actively planning how to end life. For some groups, though, the statistics are higher - 40% in the case of unpaid carers. It was an honour to write an article on this topic for Mobilise | B Corp who do such excellent work in supporting unpaid carers. We discuss the factors that make this population more at risk of suicidal ideation as well as the protective factors that help lower the risk. Risk/protective factors are applicable to all of us, so it’s worth checking how you and those around you fare through this lens. As always, if you need help then please find a way to get what you need ❤️ #starttheconversation *If you are in crisis and need urgent help, please contact The Samaritans on 116123, speak to your GP or go to A&E.*

On #WorldMentalHealthDay, we proudly stand with 32 organizations calling for the development of a comprehensive EU Strategy on #MentalHealth. The mental health crisis across Europe affects millions of individuals, families, and communities. Our joint statement calls for a strategic approach that prioritizes prevention, fights stigma, and ensures inclusive, accessible, and affordable mental health care. It highlights the urgent need to tackle mental health inequalities across the EU and provide the resources necessary to close gaps in care. We also call for the strategy to promote a comprehensive and holistic approach to mental health for children and young people, building on commitments under the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, the EU Child Guarantee, and the EU Youth Strategy. Join us in advocating for policies that foster the holistic well-being of future generations. 👉 Read the full statement here: https://bit.ly/4h2b6QE #EU4MentalHealth #WorldMentalHealthDay #L4WB Mental Health Europe - FEANTSA - ILGA-Europe - COFACE Families Europe - Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) - Eurocadres - European Alcohol Policy Alliance - Eurocare - Eurocarers - Eurochild -European AIDS Treatment Group - ADHD-Europe - Volonteurope - European Medical Students’ Association (EMSA) - 5Rights - EuroHealthNet - Make Mothers Matter - MMM

Who is in and around Galway? We don't just do webinars on the Mental Health Bill! This will be a great event and opportunity to discuss the key changes to mental health law. The event is free but places are limited so please do register here and share with other interested folk. #MentalHealth #HumanRights #LawReform

My Daughter Has a Name: A Plea for Compassion in a Broken System Watching someone you love deteriorate over eight years is a heartbreak no parent should endure. Yet, this is the reality for countless families who see their children slipping through the cracks of a system that wasn’t designed to support them. Recently, my daughter underwent an appendectomy. What should have been a straightforward procedure revealed the deep inadequacies of our healthcare system. Despite the incredible dedication of first responders - paramedics, police, and emergency staff - the ongoing support for those grappling with complex mental health challenges is almost non-existent. One moment stands out: a nurse asked me if her condition was the result of “mixing with the wrong people.” I responded: No. She is this way because she experienced trauma. She is a daughter, a sister, an aunt, and a friend. She is kind, sensitive, loves animals and is has a wicked sense of humour . She is here because she is mentally unwell and cannot care for herself. My daughter is not a statistic. She has a name, a story, and a life that matters. When we judge instead of listen, or reduce individuals to numbers, we fail - not just them, but our collective humanity. Behind every person struggling in silence is a human being deserving of dignity, compassion, and care. Yet, our systems too often discharge people back into the void, leaving families to face the impossible alone. 💔 How many more families are quietly enduring the trauma of watching their loved ones disappear before their eyes? This isn’t about blame - it’s about recognition. Recognition that our systems are failing and that those who fall through the cracks are not nameless or faceless. They are people with stories, potential, and lives worth fighting for. So, here’s my plea: Extend kindness. Lean into compassion. Advocate for change. Behind every face is a person who matters, someone whose story deserves to be heard. Because if we don’t speak up for the vulnerable, who will? #MentalHealthAwareness #CompassionInCare #TraumaInformedCare #HumanityFirst #BreakingTheStigma #KindnessMatters #BeTheChange John Dare Scott Dare Jen W. Rebecca Alexander Maree Wrack Paula Luethen Mark Forbes Emotous

I’ve just read the heartbreaking news that former One Direction member Liam Payne has passed away. The moment I saw the headline, my chest tightened. It was a stark reminder that mental health doesn’t discriminate—fame, wealth, or success can’t protect anyone from its effects. When my brother took his own life, the shock reverberated throughout our community. He was smart, good-looking, married, and to the outside world, he seemed to have everything a man could want. Yet, behind it all, he was battling demons we didn’t truly see. At his funeral, hundreds of people turned up. They were grieving, shocked, and asking the same question: What could we have done differently? That day changed the course of my life. It drove me to focus on being part of the solution. I realised that we must not only destigmatise mental health, but also equip young people, with the tools to understand their emotions, build the confidence to ask for help without shame, and develop a toolkit for self-regulation.We need to create safe spaces where asking for help is seen as a strength, not a weakness This isn’t to diminish the importance of women’s mental health—every life is valuable. But from my experience, there’s a particular silence around men’s struggles, and it’s taking far too many lives. Every conversation makes a difference, and every tool we can provide could save a life. #MentalHealthAwareness #MensMentalHealth #EmotionalWellbeing #EndTheStigma #SupportEachOther

On May 1, 2024 from 5:15 - 6:45 p.m. at 1025 Queen Street West in #Toronto , CAMH is hosting a HYBRID event: "What’s next for MAiD for mental illness?" In March 2024, changes to #Canada ’s #MedicalAssistanceInDying ( #MAiD ) law were delayed. The changes would have expanded MAiD eligibility so that people whose only medical condition is #mentalillness could apply. With this delay, many people may be asking: what now? Join a panel of experts as they explore what this means for people with lived experience of mental illness, and their families and loved ones. Questions from the audience will also be discussed. If you have a question for the panel, you can send it in advance. If you’re joining in-person you will also be able to submit questions during the event. To learn more and register for both the virtual and in-person event, visit the event registration page: https://lnkd.in/gm_JexYh

Trigger warning: post about suicide awareness September is suicide awareness month. 1 in 4 women with ADHD make an attempt on life. Let’s just let that hang there. Not thought about committing suicide, have tried to. And actually that figure will be larger due to the attempts not always being tracked properly. Those of us with Autism are 9x more likely to die by suicide. I have personal experience of suicide, both myself and a family member. I will be supporting Jo Lambert and #holdthehope with all my might. It’s such an important project. I will be attending the Friday 20th September in SW London and invite my friends and tribe here to join us. What do you think? Are you available and interested? My journey to the event involves travelling through central London, so happy to arrange a pick up point for anyone travelling in who gets overstimulated by trains etc and I’ll shout us a coffee or the like after (not mandatory). Please RSVP to hello@holdthehope.co.uk if you would like to join us. We’d love to see you 💜 #suicideawareness #adhd #autism #auadhd #holdthehope