United in Conversation
An interactive, authentic and radically fresh conversation about pressing local issues.
Our objective: To facilitate and encourage open and honest conversations about issues our community is facing to create greater understanding, empathy and spark action.
Our approach: We will invite community members – some with expertise and some with lived experience – to take part in an intimate, open and honest conversation about a social issue. We will then host an event where community members from Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin can have difficult conversations, share, listen and learn within a safe space. Together, we will learn what concrete steps we can take to move forward and create lasting change.
Join us on December 2nd for The Diversity of Mental Health
Did you know that:
- Factors such as housing, education, racism, discrimination, health care and poverty significantly impact members of the BIPOC community and their mental health.
- There is a lot of shame associated with mental illness in many South Asian communities. For example, within the Sikh community, many people won’t access mental health resources because there is a cultural belief in self-sufficiency and a belief that they are capable of managing hardships without the input of external services.
- LGBTQ youth face approximately 14 times the risk of suicide and substance abuse than heterosexual peers.
- On average, approximately 4,000 Canadians take their own life each year, of those suicides, 75% are men.
Mental health, mental illness and mental wellbeing have become popular topics of conversation in the past few years. Coming out of the pandemic, United Way is committed to ensuring people are connected to supports to help build connection and belonging. While we have made great strides in bringing mental health to the forefront of society, there are different groups in which the topic of mental health is still difficult to face. Members of diverse communities suffer from an increased rate of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. The increased incidence of psychological difficulties in diverse communities is related to the lack of access to appropriate and culturally responsive mental health care, prejudice, and racism inherent in the daily environment of certain individuals, and their historical experience with mental health services in the medical field. We have created a culture in our society that men have to be tough and silent. They are not encouraged to share their feelings or show vulnerability. Because of this societal ‘code’ governing boys’ and men’s behaviour, their mental health problems can often go undiagnosed.
Our goal is to engage the community in an honest conversation on the realities some marginalized groups face when it comes to caring for their mental health. In order for all of us to make a #RadicalRecovery, we need to support culturally competent and easily accessible mental health services for all.
Who Should Attend?
- Community members who are interested in learning how to better understand and support others, including friends, family, colleagues and neighbours
- Human Resources managers who want to know more about supporting a diverse staff
- Anyone working in a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion role
- Mental health practitioners
- Front line workers & care givers who want to learn more about directing people to support and resources in our community
To Register, click here
Tickets – $15; Includes the pre-session video recording and a live, interactive discussion.
We would like all members of the community that want to be part of the conversation to attend. If cost is a barrier to your attendance, please take a complimentary ticket at the link above.
Sponsored by:
