Struggling with mental illness and addiction does not necessarily lead to criminal activity. Airdrie RCMP’s Mental Health and Addiction Liaison Team is working with those impacted by mental illness and/or addiction to prevent criminal behaviour before it happens (see story here). According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, however, “the majority of people who are violent do not suffer from mental illnesses. In fact, people with a mental illness are more likely to be the victims, rather than the perpetrators of violence.” Having RCMP members trained in mental-health responses and addiction interventions is a great step, but supporting mental health and recovery requires a major shift in how we interact with and speak about these individuals. A person in the midst of a mental-illness crisis does not have to be “dealt with” – they “require assistance.” Mental health is not something to be “combated,” as – like physical health – we all have mental health. For that matter, mental illness doesn’t need to be combated, either – people struggling with mental illness need support and understanding, not judgment and victimization. It seems like a small change, but it has a big impact. We applaud the RCMP for taking this important step and, in particular, offering support not only to those struggling, but to the people who love them. The effects of mental illness and addiction do not stop at the individual. Those who care about someone struggling may need to take time off work, they may feel helpless and they, too, may require psychological help. Mental health need not be feared, it should be supported.
