Pubdate: Thu, 23 Sep 2004 Source: Caledonia Courier (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Fort Saint James Courier Contact: http://www.caledoniacourier.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3189 Author: Monisha Martins CONNECTING MENTAL HEALTH TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE An important question to ask when screening for depression and anxiety is a question about the individual's lifestyle. Fifty percent of people with addictions have mental illnesses and vice versa. The relationship, however, is complex. Mental health problems can act as risk factors for substance use problems. For example, depressive symptoms could lead someone to self-medicate with alcohol as a coping mechanism. Or, it could be that someone with an anxiety disorder or depression has trouble sleeping and is given tranquilizers which can then be misused. Louise Evans-Salt, Program Director for Fort St. James Drug and Alcohol Services notes a growth in addictions and mood disorders in Fort St. James. "In a small community, we are very aware but it is a growing problem everywhere," she says. The community has high alcohol sales per capita and in the last 18 years, Louise has seen people using more than one substance. " When I first came to Fort St. James people would either drink or use marijuana, now we see people abusing more than one substance," she says. Mental health workers and drug and alcohol prevention staff in the community have been working together to bring attention to the connectivity between the issues. A person with a mood disorder or addiction in Fort St. James can access all the services available in British Columbia. Staff at the Fort St. James Drug and Alcohol Prevention Centre provide support during all stages of the addiction and mental health continuum. Treatment and support starts with a basic assessment of the person and the centre also provides counselling and a referral to a treatment centre if required. "Even though we are a small town, we are very knowledgeable about the services out there. We are part of a provincial network and have access to every aspect of mental health and addiction services," she says. The office, situated above the Rainbow Convenience Store, is a cozy private place. The centre is used by people from all parts of the community. Client visits are confidential and they have a variety of entrance and exit options in case they do not want to be identified. "Our focus is on wellness rather than on sickness and anxiety," says Louise. In a recent Statistics Canada report, only 32 percent or one thirds of Canadians experiencing feelings and symptoms consistent with a surveyed mental disorder or substance dependence sought help from a health care professional. Alcohol misuse cost the country $7.5 billion in 1992. B.C. has the highest lifetime prevalence for illicit drug use of all the provinces in Canada according to national surveys. Tentative figures place the rate for any mental disorder or substance dependence at around 12 percent or nearly 400,000 British Columbians. The main reason people do not seek help is because of the social stigma associated with addiction and mental health issues. "It is time to take away the stigma. People need to know that depression and anxiety can be treated and people can function normally and there is help for them," says Louise. "You don't have to be a full blown addict to seek help." Depression and Anxiety Screening Day is a high-profile community event that has reached out to 20,000 British Columbians since 1995. In Fort St. James on October 9, screenings will take place at the Sitka Building and at Kwah Hall. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin