Dealing with a family member who is struggling with mental illness is challenging enough, but the issues can be compounded because of misinformation, stigma and difficulties navigating the healthcare system. The second in The Scarborough Hospital’s It’s Time to Talk speakers’ series, “Breaking Barriers: Stigma, Families and Mental Health,” will be held on Thursday, September 15 in the General campus Auditorium. There will be a health fair from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and presentations with Q&A periods from 7 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Admission, parking and refreshments are complimentary.

The Scarborough Hospital created this free speakers’ series to help families engage in difficult conversations about sensitive healthcare topics. This series informs stakeholders about their hospital, provides proactive information on how to maintain or improve their health and wellbeing, and creates a forum in which our community may seek answers from the hospital’s experts.

“People living with mental illness and those who support them often experience significant challenges in the community,” says Susan Engels, Patient Care Director, Mental Health. “Recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental health and addictions issues, and knowing when and where to seek help, may seem overwhelming. Fear, stigma and isolation may make people hesitate to get professional help, yet seeking help is often the first step in beginning the journey towards recovery. Come join physicians and other healthcare providers at The Scarborough Hospital to learn more about living with mental illness and addictions, and how to get the help you or someone you know need to start on the road to recovery.”

“Breaking Barriers: Stigma, Families and Mental Health” will help attendees understand and begin conversations about depression and anxiety, and guide them on how to navigate the mental health system within our community. It will help them identify the myths and facts of psychosis and substance abuse and understand key symptoms of dementia. The forum will be moderated by Dr. John Wright, President and CEO of The Scarborough Hospital and will include speakers Dr. Stephen Barsky, TSH Chief of Psychiatry; Dr. Karen Shin, TSH Psychiatrist; Dr. Thomas Choy, TSH Psychiatrist; Faiza Khalid-Khan, TSH Social Worker; Jeanine Tuitt, TSH Social Worker; Roberto Mazzei, TSH Social Worker; and Shefali Raja, TSH Occupational Therapist.

Situated in the most diverse community in Canada, The Scarborough Hospital (TSH) delivers innovative, high-quality patient care at two hospital campuses and six satellite sites. The Scarborough Hospital is a regional centre for dialysis and is renowned for its sexual assault care centre and mental health programs. Affiliated with the University of Toronto, TSH is also a referral centre for vascular surgery, pacemakers and cataract surgery.

For more information, please contact:
Kerry McLeish
Communications Officer
The Scarborough Hospital
(416) 438-2911 ext. 8090
kmcleish@tsh.to

http://www.tsh.to/pages/Breaking-Barriers-Stigma-Families-and-Mental-Health