Last week's webinar "Accused As Guilty. A Big Social Injustice" https://youtu.be/fq0pf9XJqbM featured the host - Perry Kinkaide, interviewing Matthew Lau about social justice and what his and the research of Thomas Sowell - Social Justice Fallacies, have revealed about achieving equity and the sweeping indictment of not just Canada as "racist", but of others labeled as hateful, elitist, privileged, oppressors, etc. Viewer participation in the subsequent discussion explore the role of media, immigration, and unintended consequences of government in social vs economic intervention and various claims of social injustice.
Navigating Mental Illness, Homelessness, and Societal Challenges in the 21st Century
Mental illness and homelessness are interrelated HERE and both are on the rise. This trend is not surprising in the context of global turmoil. While Covid-19 and its accompanying isolation are often cited as factors, the issue is more complex. Daily life bombards us with stressors - at work, at home, at school, on the cell, and through invasive media.
The impact on children and teenagers is severe. With limited life experience and resilience, they are bombarded in classrooms, on social media, and among peers with messages of doom: the threat of suicide in their circles, global conflicts, and violence. Teenagers today cite mental health their most serious and rising concern. We need to stop overwhelming them before they are ready with global issues like racism and climate change.
Our series of webinars this fall highlighted issues of failing leadership, healthcare delays, educational shortcomings, and the increase in homelessness. These were cited as the consequence of inadequate parenting and public service interventions, including child welfare - foster care, corrections - remand centres, healthcare - emergency and addictions, and the handling of indigenous population migration.
History offers little guidance, merely showcasing a perpetual cycle of reform from back wards to back alleys and back again. What was once the domain of mental health facilities has now spilled into public spaces - back alleys and encampments. The problem, once personal and hidden, has become public and pervasive. Solutions are elusive, emphasizing the need for individual initiatives.
Public solutions begin with determining where to provide services for those most in need supplemented with counseling and social support and how to foster resilience in our youth. There is no panacea, no miracle drug - neither Ritalin in classrooms nor phenothiazines in the streets. Intriguing is potential role of artificial intelligence HERE While public awareness and tolerance are crucial, leadership is needed for bridging the conflict between public and personal responses. - Editor@KEInetwork.net
WEBINAR
Mental Illness, Homelessness, and the Clashing of Personal and Public Interests
4:00PM MST Thursday December 21st, 2023
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82390691947
We've assembled a panel of 3 guests, familiar with mental illness, homelessness, and the challenges facing people and the public. They'll argue for increased public understanding, but tolerance is growing thin. What to do? What will satisfy the public and serve the people? What is driving up the increase in mental illness? Are there preventative measures, improved treatments? How can we develop resiience among our teenagers, youth living with anxiety and citing mental health as their number one priority. Join us, learn and share. Get engaged 4:00PM Thursday HERE https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82390691947
HOST
Perry Kinkaide, editor of the KEI Network's weekly newsletter and host of the associated webinars. Perry's career has spanned academia and public service, corporate consulting and not-for-profit societies. His interest in the public-private clash of interests has spanned a life-time. As a public servant Perry was a former Edmonton Regional Co-ordinator responsible for the development of community service alternatives to institutions, subsequent Regional Director of Social and Community Services including child welfare and mental health, Assistant Deputy Minister of Operations Support before given the mantle of Alberta's Director of Privatization and Funding Reform. He has founded the Continuous Learning Community Society, Alberta Counil of Technologies, and been appointed as Director to several provincial professional regulatory bodies in Alberta and Canada. A recent recipient of the Rotary Integrity Award and recognized as one of Alberta's most influential leaders.
PANEL
Leif Gregersen, an accomplished author and educator, has penned three groundbreaking books about his journey with mental health: "Through the Withering Storm," "Inching Back to Sane," and "Alert and Oriented x3." Besides his role as a community education presenter for the Schizophrenia Society, Leif is a creative writing teacher and freelance journalist. He has also written ten other fiction books. His work provides a deeply personal insight into schizophrenia, challenging societal stigmas and misconceptions by showcasing his life beyond the diagnosis. Emphasizing recovery as living with meaning, purpose, identity, and resilience, Leif's narrative focuses on the human aspect of mental illness, aiming to foster compassion and understanding. More about his work can be found at www.edmontonwriter.com, and his books are available via email at leif.n.gregersen@gmail.com
Murray and Taylor Soroka his daughter, are the father-daughter duo at the heart of the Jasper Place Wellness Centre (JPWC), a transformative organization they co-founded and continue to lead today. Founding JPWC in 2006, Murray and Taylor are dedicated to cultivating a more equitable community through innovative health and community-based solutions. Their shared passion for community is anchored in the belief that affordable and appropriate housing is fundamental to every Edmontonian's life. They advocate for the idea that having a stable home lays the groundwork for individuals to exercise agency and autonomy, allowing them to construct a life that authentically reflects their values and aspirations. The Sorokas have become champions for change in Edmonton, using their love of people and connection to address the community's diverse needs. Their leadership at the Jasper Place Wellness Centre reflects a commitment to creating inclusive spaces that foster well-being and empower individuals to thrive. Through their collaborative efforts, Murray and Taylor Soroka embody the principles of empathy, resilience, and social responsibility.
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