Being alone together: - Columbian Centre Society

Spring /Summer 2012 Columbian Centre Board of Directors Doug Anderson Mark Blackell Dave LaBerge Bill MacGougan Christine McAuley Blake McGuffie Dorina Medland Avis Muir Pam Shaw Erin Warner Mark Willott Jason Winton Medical Advisor: Neil Rogers, M.D.

Being alone together:

Social media and its implications for people with mental health issues By Kevin Midbo Social media, in the form of Facebook, Twitter, cell phones, and texting, etc. are sweeping through the world, much like a tsunami. Thrashing about in this churning sea, many of us struggle to find our bearings. Are we being herded around by social media, or are we in command of these new tools? What does this mean for vulnerable people: are they being left behind, swept away into uncharted depths, or riding the wave? Sherry Turkle, a professor at M.I.T., has described a radical change in the nature of social relationships, brought on by social media. She describes the change as a slide from full-bodied conversation to electronic connection. It might even be said that communities are being supplanted by networks. The result, Turkle remarks, is that we have “positioned ourselves in a way where we can end up feeling more alone, even as we’re taking actions that would suggest we’re more continually connected.” According to research by the Pew Research Center’s Internet Project, text messaging is now the number one method for communicating among teenagers — and American teenagers are sending an average of 60 text messages a day. But teens aren’t the only social network users. On a per-capita basis, Canada has the highest number of Facebook users in the world. The average Canadian has 225 “friends” on the social network, though recent studies from the University of Waterloo have shown that as many as half of our “friends” are people we don’t even really know. Facebook, Twitter, texting, and blogging are the new connectors. You’re not alone: Social media as community

Dorina Medland and Mark Willott, Co-Emcees of the Mental Wellth Gala on March 15

Social media can seem to decrease the isolation affecting particular groups or individuals. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) sponsored a study that examined how young adults with mental health conditions use social networking websites. The study found that individuals living with (continued on page 2)

Our Mission Statement: To demonstrate service excellence in rehabilitation and housing for adults with psychiatric disabilities including those with co-occurring addictions. We promote community and develop programs that support social inclusion through personalized, respectful and caring service.

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Being alone together: Social media continued from page one mental illnesses were more likely to use social networking to create a supportive community — rather than to strengthen an already existing one through socializing. The vast majority of young people in the study believed that social networking reduces social isolation. NAMI’s study also found that young adults living with mental illnesses expressed a preference for a social networking site that offers information on community integration, independent living and social skills, and overcoming social isolation. The finding was consistent with previous research:

and associated social media played a valuable role in overcoming isolation and staying connected with others. Keith Hampton, an associate professor at Rutgers University, wrote in The New York Times that “social media has made every relationship persistent and pervasive” and he declares that “a loss of close friends does not mean a loss of support.” Hampton believes that the constant feed of updates and photos from online social circles constitutes a “modern front porch.” Hampton’s conclusion, from his own and others’ research, is that “neither living alone nor using social media is socially isolating.” But he also acknowledges that new social media tools are increasingly seen as responsible for a growing trend of social isolation and lack of intimacy — despite a lack of evidence to support it.

. . . teens with mental health conditions use the Internet to find ways to cope or deal with their worries, unhappiness, or problems . . .websites focused on mental health issues increase knowledge and reduce stigma associated with mental health in young adults.

A poor imitation of the real world: Finding balance

A study conducted in Australia by the mental health charity known as SANE found similarly positive results. People with mental illness were found not only to make considerable use of the Internet to manage their daily lives (finances, shopping, and connections to government agencies), but 73 per cent of the study participants also confirmed that using the Internet

Professor Turkle is a leader in critically analyzing the phenomenon of social media. Her book, Alone Together, is described as being only one of a long list of attacks on social media—and its perceived weaknesses and problems. Her thesis, an article in The Guardian says, is simple: “Technology is threatening to dominate our lives and make us less human. Under the illusion of allowing us to

Child’s play? “About 40 per cent of two- to four-year-olds (and 10 per cent of kids younger than that) have used a smart phone, tablet or video iPod, according to a new study by the non-profit group Common Sense Media,” Associated Press reports. “… There are thousands of apps targeted specifically to babies and toddlers – interactive games that name body parts, for example, or sing nursery rhymes. It has become commonplace to see little ones flicking through photos on their parents’ phones during church or playing games on a tablet during a bus, train or plane ride. … In fact, toy maker Fisher-Price has just released a new hard case for the iPhone and iPod touch, framed by a colourful rattle, which allows babies to play while promising protection from ‘dribbles, drool and unwanted call-making.’ ” The Globe and Mail, November 1, 2011

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www.columbiancentre.org

Being alone together: Social media continued from page two communicate better, it is actually isolating us from real human interactions in a cyber-reality that is a poor imitation of the real world.”

in people, and who enjoy interacting with others for their own sake had higher psychological wellbeing, greater resilience and lower psychological stress.

Columbian Centre’s Tom Grauman observes that “social media blinkers communication, reducing communication to a single channel. Lost in social media’s efficiency and immediacy are facial and body expressions, physical interaction, subtlety, mutually experienced ambient influences (people, smells, surroundings), even shared food and drink. It is, by its own design, an impoverished medium for authentic exchange.”

“I question what exactly people are ‘connecting’ to, when they access the internet and other social media,” muses Columbian Centre’s Mary Wallace, “given that many of these platforms are driven by pornography and marketing. Connection, we should remember, is not automatically a good thing; any connection is a two-way street and I shudder to consider the scenarios of vulnerable populations, such as people with mental illness, being recruited by electronically-based predators.”

Research findings demonstrating the rise of social media use among people with mental illness in Australia “have raised concern that social media could be replacing face-to-face contact for vulnerable groups,” according to Medical Observer. More than 60 per cent of people surveyed, who have had a diagnosis of a mental illness such as depression or anxiety, said they have no one they can call a best friend. And 40 per cent would have trouble finding someone to drive them to the doctor if they were sick.

Face your problems, don’t Facebook them

Marc LeVine is vice-president of community outreach for The Center, a therapeutic mental health and addiction treatment program in New Jersey, which specializes in the treatment of co-occurring disorders. He’s also a social media expert. Marc states at the Therapy Soup blog that “we’re all waiting for the research that will show us the best ways to make use of Social Media in the The study, conducted by treatment of mental illness and Mental Health New South chemical addictions.” “We are lonely but Wales, showed that many LeVine thinks that the who found it difficult to fearful of intimacy. Connectivity greatest benefit of social make new friends were offers for many of us the illusion of media to mental health turning to social media communities will be the companionship without the demands of sites like Facebook access to knowledge to try to meet people. friendship. We cannot get enough of each other and training that Researcher Nataly . . . if we can have each other at a distance in clinicians have. He also Bovopoulos stressed believes online therapy amounts we can control.” that it was important for is showing signs of being people with mental illness a tremendous boon to the - Sherry Turkle to continue to try and make mental health profession: real-world friendships: We found that people who reported enjoying close, empathetic, supportive and caring friendships, who like and are interested

When used properly, social media opens new communication pathways for those who feel trapped and very


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Being alone together: Social media continued from page three much alone. They can reach out for support from family and friends who are distant as well as others. They can learn more about their own illnesses from professionals and peers and they can also use the Web to send information to the services they depend on for treatment, shelter and food. Several twenty-four hour hotlines are also available online and have been credited with saving people from suicide and accidental drug overdoses. 44-year-old Toronto police officer Scott Mills decided in 2007 that “if I was going to be a police officer in real life, I was going to be one online.” Mills has 5,000 friendson Facebook (in social media-speak, a “friend” is not necessarily more than a “contact”) and a wait list of 300. He told the Toronto Star that he monitors his own Facebook and Twitter feeds, intervening when he sees online bullying — and when he spots, or is alerted to, an alarming post about someone’s safety he will act. Mills notes that many adults have been shying away from forging relationships with young people online, but feels that the opposite is necessary.

health care; ability to offer robust aftercare and maintenance; and a greater ability to create treatment programs that clients want and need. Amid the continuous developments in social media (Facebook application to tackle mental health stigma, Facebook as a mental health screening tool, Twitter help for mental illness and postpartum depression, to name a few) comes a study with a warning. A survey by Macmillan Cancer Support in the U.K. found that the average young adult has 237 Facebook friends —but only two that they could turn to for real support. The survey “also found that one in eight . . .admitted they did not have even a single person they considered to be a good enough friend to rely on, if life got very hard,” according to The Telegraph.

Whatever the social media’s drawbacks may be, for millions of people its charms are virtually irresistible. Sherry Turkle says: “our iPhones light up our brains in the same places that love lights up our brains. We’re wanted. Somebody wants us, somebody needs us, somebody’s Psychologist Susan Giurleo calling to us, somebody “Just because writes online at KevinMD. remembered us...This we grew up with the internet, we com (“social media’s technology calls out assume that the internet is all grown up. leading physician to the most primitive We tend to see what we have now as the voice”) that social media is and fragile parts of not only changing how ourselves. It calls out technology in its maturity, that the way we live we communicate, it’s to deep elements of now with the internet is how we will live with it also changing how we our psyche.” in the future. And that’s not true: with the define what “relationship” internet, it is the very early days.” Notwithstanding social is. She also predicts media’s flashing lights, it “positive opportunities at - Sherry Turkle seems that when we have every turn” for mental health something intensely personal care in the social media world: to share, the one or two people professionals will collaborate more; occupying our non-virtual space might turn the stigma and isolation of mental illness out to be the most important. will lessen; increased demand for high quality mental

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Mid Island Annual Charity Golf Tournament May 2, 2012

Event Schedule: · 12:30 – 1:30 Registration

· 6:30 – 7:30 Live Auction and mingle

· 1:30 – 6:30 Golfing

· 7:30 – 9:00 Dinner, Live Auction, announce winner of tournament

Prizes! Live Auction! 50/50 Draw! More! The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World, Iain McGilchrist Yale University Press, reprinted November 2010 U.K. Psychiatrist and writer Iain McGilchrist draws on recent brain research, illustrated with case histories, to reveal that the difference between right and left hemispheres in our brains is profound: two whole, coherent, but incompatible ways of experiencing the world. The left hemisphere is detail oriented, prefers mechanisms to living things, and is inclined to self-interest, where the right hemisphere has greater breadth, flexibility, and generosity. McGilchrist then shows how the “divided and asymmetrical nature” of the human brain is reflected in the history of Western culture - music, language, philosophy and art, as well as its role in some mental illnesses. He argues that, despite its inferior grasp of reality, the left hemisphere is increasingly taking precedence in the modern world, with potentially disastrous consequences.


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Columbian Centre Society Partner in New Supportive Housing Columbian Centre Society, in partnership with Haven Society and Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society, has been selected to develop, manage and operate the new supportive housing development at 1612 Dufferin Crescent, funded by the Province and the City of Nanaimo. Pacifica Housing was chosen to operate the other new supportive housing site, at 6025 Uplands Drive. Each of these new buildings will create between 35 and 40 units of supportive housing that will connect individuals who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness with the services and supports they need to stabilize and regain their independence.

“ Columbian Centre Society is widely known for providing quality supportive housing for adults with psychiatric disabilities. I know that with Columbian Centre involved, the supportive housing in the hospital area will be successful.” - Diane Brennan, Nanaimo City Councillor

Plans for community consultation, design and programs to be offered at the facilities are being developed by the partners. Construction is expected to begin in early 2013. The new locations are in addition to two sites: • Salish Lelum at 477 Tenth Street provides 18 apartments for Aboriginal youth and elders. • 437 Wesley Street is under construction and will provide 36 apartments of supportive housing. Mayor John Ruttan, City of Nanaimo: “ I am excited to see these much-needed projects moving forward for people in need of support in our community. The construction of almost 80 units of housing for those most in need will generate jobs and respond to one of the City’s long standing problems, homelessness.” “ I am confident that the operators will bring their years of experience to manage these facilities safely and securely, consistent with the expectations of the surrounding neighbourhood.”

“... to have selected Columbian Centre Society, in partnership with Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society and Haven Society for the Dufferin site, validated my belief that these three organizations, more than any others, know how to fold potentially controversial supportive housing into existing neighbourhoods with a minimum of angst and pain.”

- Fred Pattje, Nanaimo City Councillor

Above: The future site of the supportive housing at 1612 Dufferin Crescent. At right: Camas Gardens Supportive Housing in Victoria. The same firm, Chow Low Hammond Architects, will be designing the Dufferin building.

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Second Annual Mental WELLth Dinner and Gala March 15 The Second Annual Mental WELLth Dinner and Musical Gala was held on Thursday March 15 at the Diner’s Rendezvous. Performing were – left: Panache. Lower left: Eric Harper. Below: The Doug Thring Quartet

“The answer must be, I think, that beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there.” - Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

“Only love can be divided endlessly, and still not diminish.” - Anne Morrow Lindbergh


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An initiative of Columbian Centre Society, People First Radio broadcasts Thursdays at noon (live) and Mondays at noon (repeat) Pacific time on CHLY 101.7 FM, community and campus radio in Nanaimo. People First Radio can also be heard online at www.chly.ca and on Columbian Centre Society’s website: www.columbiancentre.org If you would like to receive the popular free weekly People First enewsletter, please email [email protected]

Paul Manly is working on a short video documentary for Columbian Centre Society, which will illustrate the impact on the natural social environment of persons displaced to a larger urban centre, like Nanaimo, in order to receive support for psychiatric illness.

The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it. - Chinese Proverb

“The need to let suffering speak is a condition of all truth.”

- Theodor Adorno

“Psychotherapy - a long, drawn out process consisting of subtle probings of the human mind, whereby women are blamed for all of Freud’s shortcomings.” - Marc Cooper

Columbian Centre Society is generously supported by

Financial assistance from the Province of British Columbia

The Women of the Moose www.columbiancentre.org