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7 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,F ebruary 14,2019 insidehalton.com Pud bySteveNease 1200 Speers Rd., Unit 12, Oakville, Ont. L6L 2X4 (905) 845 - 1408 | Fax (905) 845 - 5931 | ricky@rickywong.ca Ricky Wong CPA, CA, MBA, B. Eng Ricky WongRicky W DIAMONDDIDIDIDIDIAMAMAMAMAMONONDIAMONDONDIAMONDONDIAMONDONDIAMONDONONONONONDDD DIAMONDDIDIDIDIDIAMAMAMAMAMONONONONONONONDDD Voted BestAccountant by Oakville Beaver Readers for 11 ConsecutiveYears For more information please check our website www.rickywong.ca •Accounting •Auditing • Taxation No Heat? Call 289-205-3443 Fastest Emergency Service • Heating • Cooling •Water Heaters • Plumbing • Duct Cleaning • Protection Plans Stigma - a word that is still all too often paired with men- tal health. While much prog- ress has been made in the fight against stigma, there'sfight against stigma, there'sf still work to be done, and an important part of that work is debunking the many myths that still surround mental health and mental illness. What are some of these myths and what are the actu- al facts? Myth: Mental illness is a sign of weakness. Fact: Mental illnesses are real illnesses, real health conditions - not a weakness. Chemicals in our brains can be out of balance or not work- ing properly, which can bring on the symptoms of mental illness. In fact, it takes a great deal of strength to manage mental illness. We would nev- er say "You wouldn't have epi- lepsy if you were stronger," and we shouldn't think that about mental illness, either. Myth: People with men- tal illness are violent and dangerous. Fact: Mental illness is not an accurate predictor of vio- lence. People living with mental illness are no more likely to be violent than peo- ple who do not have mental illness. In fact, they are more likely to be on the receiving end of violence. Unfortunate- ly, when people with mental illness are violent, it is often sensationalized which can continue to spread this myth. Myth: Talking about peo- ple's mental illness will make them feel worse. Fact: Feeling isolated is a common symptom of mental illness and others not talking about it can just reinforce feelings that nobody under-feelings that nobody under-f stands. Well-intentioned comments like "look on the bright side" can come across as dismissive. Instead, don't be afraid to ask how someone is doing and really listen. There is no one magic thing you can say to make every-you can say to make every-y thing better, but being open to talking can help reduce feelings of isolation. feelings of isolation. f Myth: Mental illness can be cured. Fact: We don't talk about "cure" - we talk about "recov- ery." Recovery is about hav- ing a meaningful life while living with a mental illness, even if symptoms of the ill- ness still exist. It is about hav- ing the right supports and strategies to manage chal- lenges, which is something all of us can benefit from, whether we have a mental ill- ness or not. Think about taking a mental health first aid course. Find out more at hal- ton.cmha.ca. Melanie McGregor is the communications and ad- vancement specialist at the Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Region branch, which provides mental health/addiction community support and education. MYTHS, FACTS CONCERNING MENTAL HEALTH OPINION IT'S NOT A SIGN OF WEAKNESS, WRITES MCGREGOR MELANIE MCGREGOR Column ANIMAL TALES This possum was spotted at Heritage Glen Park last month. If you have a photo of wildlife in Oakville that you think would interest Beaver readers, send it to news editor Karen Miceli at knagel@metroland.com. Monica Simpson/photo