Mental Health Problems and Canada

confidential group meetings: Sherzoi said she looking for five to 10 participants between the ages of 18 to 54 who have lived in Canada for more than two years and have, or are, dealing with mental health problems, according to CBC. In addition to taking photos, they will attend five confidential group meetings to share their stories and photos. "They can explain what they're feeling or what they're seeing or what their experiencing without having to use too many words or be limited by the language," she said. When they do arrive in Canada, mental health issues are sometimes kept secret because of stigma, she said. "They're too ashamed to even admit that they're dealing with this to even come out and actually seek help for services," she said. "This project would bridge that as well by having families see that sometimes it OK to ask for help." Questioning perceptions Participants will take photos that symbolically answer questions about perceptions of mental illness, their experiences accessing mental health services and what they would like to see changed about the mental health services offered. Their photos and stories will then be displayed at an exhibit at Studio Central on Kennedy Street, likely this May. "Not only does it help service providers to gain an understanding of how they can be more inclusive or how to reach these individuals, but also within their own communities, raising that awareness and having those conversations," she said. Social factors have a big impact' So far Sherzoi research has suggested that immigrants are fairly mentally stable when they first come to Canada. "As time progresses, unemployment, stigma, discrimination — all those social factors have a big impact on their mental health," she said. The participants can keep their names confidential for the exhibit, Sherzoi said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.