Strength in Unity is the first comprehensive anti-stigma intervention project among Asian communities in Canada
Strength in Unity is a community-based research project that will build capacity among youth and men from Asian Communities in Canada, and mobilize them to become Community Mental Health Ambassadors. They will raise awareness about mental illness, available supports and services and encourage communities to take up anti-stigma initiatives.
Stigma is the negative stereotype of mental illness and discrimination is the behavior that results from this stereotype. People living with mental illness, as well as their families and friends, are faced with multiple, intersecting levels of discrimination. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association stigma is a reality for many people with a mental illness, and one of their greatest barriers to ‘a complete and satisfying life’.
Strength in Unity is the first comprehensive anti-stigma intervention research project among Asian communities in Canada. The project aims to mobilize Asian youth and men from Asian communities in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver to become Community Mental Health Ambassadors (CMAs) and to address the stigma of mental illness in their communities.
The project aims to reduce the stigma of mental illness by building individual and community capacity to address and reduce stigma at individual, family and community levels — and to generate new knowledge that can be used to change policies and practices in order to improve the health and well-being of people living with and/or affected by mental illness.
Strength in Unity is led by an academic research steering committee — but includes co-investigators from the three provinces who represent key stakeholders, including researchers, clinicians, educators, immigrant men and women, family and community members, mental health, social and settlement service providers, and policymakers.
Stigma is the negative stereotype of mental illness and discrimination is the behavior that results from this stereotype. People living with mental illness, as well as their families and friends, are faced with multiple, intersecting levels of discrimination.
Together, the team has a history of engagement in men and boy’s health, immigrant’s health, mental health/ illness, and share a perspective that supports a gender and diversity-based approach to research.
We speak with co-principal investigator and SFU professor Marina Morrow, and with research intervention associates Peter Hoong and Nimesh Patel. All three are part of the Vancouver-based Strength in Unity research team.
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Left-click to listen; right-click to save.
Images: (top) ACT (acceptance commitment) training in Toronto, Kenneth Fung; (middle) ACT training in Toronto; (bottom) Marina Morrow at CEE (contact-based empowerment education) training in Vancouver.
Tweets and related information
audio: @StrengthUnityBC interview with Marina Morrow, @petehoong and @nimmopatel on @CHLYRadio http://t.co/2Ymp6hQQYZ pic.twitter.com/PcLyZaJvsB
— People First Radio (@peoplefirstrad) February 6, 2015
Nimesh (& other team members via conference call) being interviewed with @peoplefirstrad Thank you! pic.twitter.com/trLUV8URST
— Strength In Unity BC (@StrengthUnityBC) February 3, 2015
Info sessions happening today at #SFU Harbour Centre! Interested? Register here! https://t.co/wAfvLdXBPL #Stigma pic.twitter.com/yBgfD4yzQn
— Strength In Unity BC (@StrengthUnityBC) February 2, 2015
Photo of our Fairchild TV spot. Interested in #mentalhealth and #stigma among #men? Check out https://t.co/wAfvLdXBPL pic.twitter.com/uqZGSBwWrS
— Strength In Unity BC (@StrengthUnityBC) February 3, 2015
