Editor:
Re: "Cottage farm a surprise to most" (Coast Reporter letters, Oct. 8).
Ms. Doupe's suggestion that the proposed Cottage Farm residential home would be damaging to the tourist trade on the Sunshine Coast borders on the ridiculous. However, I find the content of the remainder of her letter disturbing rather than laughable. She accuses the organisation's board of not considering the "safety factor posed by the proximity of such an at-risk population to our elementary school, neighbourhood park, youth camps and residents."
How ironic. The population who are at-risk here are those working towards recovery from mental illness in the face of stigma, discrimination, ignorance and bigotry. We are at a point in history where we have made great strides towards reducing stigma and discrimination occurring in response to gender, race and HIV status. Yet mental illness stigma remains to be conquered, leading the Mental Health Commission of Canada to state that "many people with mental illness report that the stigmatization of mental illness causes more suffering that the disease itself".
Also ironic is Ms. Doupe's statement that "our community voice deserves its rightful input." People living with mental illness are the very people who historically have had no voice. Personally, I would prefer to spend my tourist dollars in a community that expresses values around inclusion, equality and acceptance, as opposed to being characterised by fear-mongering and misconceptions. I would also like to believe that there are many Coast residents who support the notion that people with mental illness can achieve recovery, lead fulfilling lives and contribute to our community in meaningful and important ways.
Dr. Erin Michalak
Department of Psychiatry
University of British Columbia
