TSN: Shawn Simpson passed away.

[Blotto71]

1. What do you do when someone tells you they’re not doing well?

2. Is there real help available for them or is it just talk - that one can get help?

3. What is the help that people can get to avoid those problems in the future?

Asking seriously because I don’t hear a lot of people talking about this in depth…just that “there is help if you need it”, and “let people know you’re not doing well”.

People knew Shawn wasn’t doing well. He talked about it. Yet here we are mourning.

Many employers have some form of employee assistance program - those are professionals that will speak with you confidentially and can assist with directing you to other resources if needed. You can also speak with your family doctor - many health alliances now have staff that can provide or direct you to help. And you can always go to the hospital - emergency rooms have crisis intervention people ready to help.

It's out there and it's accessible, but it may feel humbling to ask. Don't let that stop you, if you need help then go get it - people will surprise you with their depth of empathy and compassion.

 

[Masked]

Many employers have some form of employee assistance program - those are professionals that will speak with you confidentially and can assist with directing you to other resources if needed. You can also speak with your family doctor - many health alliances now have staff that can provide or direct you to help. And you can always go to the hospital - emergency rooms have crisis intervention people ready to help.

It's out there and it's accessible, but it may feel humbling to ask. Don't let that stop you, if you need help then go get it - people will surprise you with their depth of empathy and compassion.

And if you're not employed? Or not employed with an employer large enough to have that sort of program?

And if you don't have a family doctor? Or can't book an appointment with your family doctor until a month from now?

And if your local emergency room is closed?

 

[Icelevel]

Many employers have some form of employee assistance program - those are professionals that will speak with you confidentially and can assist

Many employers have some form of employee assistance program - those are professionals that will speak with you confidentially and can assist with directing you to other resources if needed. You can also speak with your family doctor - many health alliances now have staff that can provide or direct you to help. And you can always go to the hospital - emergency rooms have crisis intervention people ready to help.

It's out there and it's accessible, but it may feel humbling to ask. Don't let that stop you, if you need help then go get it - people will surprise you with their depth of empathy and compassion.

Having been through most of those routes and know others who have as well, I’d say they are mostly bandaid superficial solutions at best.
Don’t want to deter anyone from trying. It may help.

Big picture there is a problem with people suffering. How do we deal with the root issue rather than medication and hugs?

 

[Bileur]

Many employers have some form of employee assistance program - those are professionals that will speak with you confidentially and can assist with directing you to other resources if needed. You can also speak with your family doctor - many health alliances now have staff that can provide or direct you to help. And you can always go to the hospital - emergency rooms have crisis intervention people ready to help.

It's out there and it's accessible, but it may feel humbling to ask. Don't let that stop you, if you need help then go get it - people will surprise you with their depth of empathy and compassion.

Qualified help isn’t actually all that accessible though.

Most psychologists I know have a two year wait list.

Even aside from the wait times, cost can be prohibitive to many and particularly to those who need the services who are more likely to be unemployed or underemployed.

Mental health services are healthcare and should be covered by provincial health care.

 

[Blotto71]

And if you're not employed? Or not employed with an employer large enough to have that sort of program?

And if you don't have a family doctor? Or can't book an appointment with your family doctor until a month from now?

And if your local emergency room is closed?

Call or text 9-8-8, suicide prevention hot line

Call 9-1-1

Visit headsupguys.org for help finding other resources.

I'm not saying we have a perfect system and that finding help will always be easy. And I'm not interested in debating the accessibility of resources - no doubt it could always be better. But there are resources available if you or someone you know needs them.

 

[Larionov]

I too was absolutely gutted reading Wally's post on X. Anyone who has been impacted by suicide knows what he is going through - it just leaves a trail of emotional destruction in its wake amongst all the family and friends of the deceased. You feel guilty because you think you could have done more. Then you get angry. Then you feel guilty about feeling angry - it's a horrendous loop. At the end of the day this is no one's fault - unfortunately in this case Simmer's demons won the battle. That doesn't mean we don't try our best to help others, though, because in some cases we can help someone win the battle. We just keep doing our very best and keep putting one foot in front of the other - it's all you can do in this world...

 

[Do Make Say Think]

Mental health services are healthcare and should be covered by provincial health care.

I don't disagree but that usually means the services get more expensive and are you ok with paying more taxes to pay for that?

We are now paying for decades of shit governing: the boomers took everything for themselves, charged us for it, and are now handing us a shitstorm of their own making.

 

[Bileur]

I don't disagree but that usually means the services get more expensive and are you ok with paying more taxes to pay for that?

What makes you say the services get more expensive? Do you mean per capita or because greater access means more use?

If it’s per capita I don’t think that’s the case for regular health care.

In the mental health field specifically some government entities cap the amount they pay providers per session at a rate lower than the going rate in private practice. I don’t see why a provisionally run system would be different.

I’d absolutely be willing to pay more taxes upfront. I think long term, creating a healthier society in terms of mental health would lead to significant savings in other areas (traditional healthcare notably with lower rates of obesity and addiction, unemployment, and criminal justice system in particular).

We are now paying for decades of shit governing: the boomers took everything for themselves, charged us for it, and are now handing us a shitstorm of their own making.

I agree, but the solution isn’t to keep offering less, while reaping the benefits of the scraps the boomers left us, and leave even less for the next generation.

 

[Stylizer1]

And if you're not employed? Or not employed with an employer large enough to have that sort of program?

And if you don't have a family doctor? Or can't book an appointment with your family doctor until a month from now?

And if your local emergency room is closed?

Go to a church?