5. Carolina encourages students and faculty to solve problems. What problem are you trying to solve, and why is it important to you? (approximately 500 words)
Any feedback is appreciated!
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The stigma that surrounds mental disorders has always been present. Like many, I previously thought that 'disability' was equivalent to 'dysfunction,' however my experience with YNOT changed my perception and understanding of an entire group present and prominent within society - individuals with mental disabilities.
As a swim instructor at my local YMCA, my work with YNOT consisted of providing swimming lessons for children with mental disorders. The conditions of the children in my class varied, from ADHD to cerebral palsy. Having not grown up around any disabled children, I was nervous and had no idea what to expect.
The group I worked with completely changed my perspective. They were ready to learn, get involved, and above all, belong to something that would otherwise be unavailable to them. As time passed, I had the opportunity to learn more about these kids. Although I had come to love these kids with no second thought of their disabilities, I listened as parents told me stories of their children getting teased in regular swim lessons and the bullying that occurred within their schools. Although I felt awful, I merely believed that the cruelty of other kids was justified by their age and inability to understand differences. That is, until a friend of mine referred to YNOT as a 'class of retards.'
That's when I realized that we have a problem in our society. If a close friend could not understand that my kids are not 'retards,' how could we expect those with no relation to anyone with disabilities to? Individuals with beliefs based on fear and misunderstandings often stereotype those with mental illnesses, exposing them to prejudice. In addition, with many educators and policy makers sweeping the topic of mental health under the rug, there is a lack of instruction and awareness in our schools from a young age.
As a member of my student council, I organized a mental health week with the assistance of the Canadian Mental Health Association and spearheaded the promotion of the Mental Health Charter of Rights by the Coalition of Children and Youth Mental Health in my school board. The goal of both initiatives was to encourage students to learn and discuss issues related to mental health in order to bring the topic to the forefront of discussion in schools and communities. The response was overwhelming. Over 500 students participated in workshops daily that week and a Mental Health Charter now hangs from all 32 high schools in the [insert school board]. In YNOT, my kids and I organized a Swim-a-Thon for the entire community, raising over $9,000 for the Canadian Mental Health Association and collecting 8,280 signatures in support of mental health awareness.
In the end, there will always be those with mental disabilities, but there does not have to be a stigma that surrounds them. Eliminating the discrimination against mental disorders has become a passion of mine, and I hope that one step at a time, __________.
Any feedback is appreciated!
--
The stigma that surrounds mental disorders has always been present. Like many, I previously thought that 'disability' was equivalent to 'dysfunction,' however my experience with YNOT changed my perception and understanding of an entire group present and prominent within society - individuals with mental disabilities.
As a swim instructor at my local YMCA, my work with YNOT consisted of providing swimming lessons for children with mental disorders. The conditions of the children in my class varied, from ADHD to cerebral palsy. Having not grown up around any disabled children, I was nervous and had no idea what to expect.
The group I worked with completely changed my perspective. They were ready to learn, get involved, and above all, belong to something that would otherwise be unavailable to them. As time passed, I had the opportunity to learn more about these kids. Although I had come to love these kids with no second thought of their disabilities, I listened as parents told me stories of their children getting teased in regular swim lessons and the bullying that occurred within their schools. Although I felt awful, I merely believed that the cruelty of other kids was justified by their age and inability to understand differences. That is, until a friend of mine referred to YNOT as a 'class of retards.'
That's when I realized that we have a problem in our society. If a close friend could not understand that my kids are not 'retards,' how could we expect those with no relation to anyone with disabilities to? Individuals with beliefs based on fear and misunderstandings often stereotype those with mental illnesses, exposing them to prejudice. In addition, with many educators and policy makers sweeping the topic of mental health under the rug, there is a lack of instruction and awareness in our schools from a young age.
As a member of my student council, I organized a mental health week with the assistance of the Canadian Mental Health Association and spearheaded the promotion of the Mental Health Charter of Rights by the Coalition of Children and Youth Mental Health in my school board. The goal of both initiatives was to encourage students to learn and discuss issues related to mental health in order to bring the topic to the forefront of discussion in schools and communities. The response was overwhelming. Over 500 students participated in workshops daily that week and a Mental Health Charter now hangs from all 32 high schools in the [insert school board]. In YNOT, my kids and I organized a Swim-a-Thon for the entire community, raising over $9,000 for the Canadian Mental Health Association and collecting 8,280 signatures in support of mental health awareness.
In the end, there will always be those with mental disabilities, but there does not have to be a stigma that surrounds them. Eliminating the discrimination against mental disorders has become a passion of mine, and I hope that one step at a time, __________.