Listening can be one of the best ways you can help a family member experiencing mental health and addiction challenges

Learning how to help has never been easier. By calling 8-1-1 or visiting Stopoverdosebc.ca/ Punjabi, you can access Punjabi resources on how to respond to an overdose, where to go for services and supports and how to support a loved one who might be experiencing mental health and addiction challenges.

Stigma is as dangerous as any drug. It can leave people suffering in silence, unable to ask for help. It can isolate people from their loved ones and trap them in a lonely spiral of shame and blame that can be extremely difficult to overcome. On top of that, stories of systemic racism, discrimination and lack of culturally aware services in our system of care can make the idea of reaching out for help even more daunting.

But that narrative is changing: slowly but surely. More people are coming forward and saying mental health challenges are not weaknesses and addiction is not a moral failing. We know that there is nothing more courageous than reaching out for help. We know that it’s okay to not be okay. And we know by sharing our stories, we can build stronger communities where talking about mental health and addiction challenges is not taboo but encouraged.

Everyone deserves the chance to find their own unique pathway to healing and hope. That’s why earlier this year, we expanded service hours at the Roshni Clinic, which offers culturally tailored and language-specific services in Punjabi, Hindi and English for people living with addiction challenges. Last month, the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Judy Darcy launched A Pathway to Hope, a plan to improve mental health and addictions care across the province. The Pathway outlines our priorities for building a seamless, integrated system of care where cultural awareness and humility are embedded in services at every opportunity.

We have a long road ahead of us to get to a place where more people feel comfortable and supported sharing their mental health and addiction challenges. But it starts with us, in our homes, in our neighbourhoods, and our communities and builds out from there. It can all start with a simple conversation that could help save a life.