Abandoned in a moment of need
Amanda Stark, a St. Thomas woman struggling with anxiety, reached out to Reach Out, a provincially funded mental health helpline but was turned away despite expressing her need for support. Jessica Reyes and Patricia Wu break down Stark’s story with therapist, Ryan Heapy.
How can you fix a broken system?
A representative acknowledged her difficulties but stated there was no one available to help her at that moment. Reach Out, operated by CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services, expressed regret over Stark’s experience. While the helpline typically provides supportive listening and coping tools, Stark felt that more could have been done to connect her to other community resources or provide immediate emotional support.
The necessity of public mental health services
Stark, who manages mild depression and anxiety with medication, emphasized the need for accessible services for individuals with mild mental illnesses. She believes that a publicly funded service should be better equipped to assist those seeking help.
To learn more about Ryan Heapy, visit his website.
