A panel discussion with myself and fellow chronic illness advocates Rasheed Clarke and Jenna Rines.
In this clip I answer the following questions:
- Were mental health challenges something that you dealt with before you were diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease, or did they come with the onset of your symptoms?
- When did you notice that your mental health was taking a hit?
In this clip, Rasheed, Jenna and I discuss what can be done when someone with a mental health issue is not being taken seriously by the healthcare system and the importance of patient self-advocacy.
In this clip, Rasheed, Jenna and I discuss the mind body connection and how it relates to living with inflammatory bowel disease. We speak about the difficulty of separating the emotional and physical impacts of chronic illness, barriers in communication with medical professionals and how to practice self care in the midst of the 'vicious cycle' of illness.
In this clip, Rasheed, Jenna and I discuss the immense difficulties chronic and mental health patients face when trying to speak out about their experiences. We talk about how stigma, shame, guilt and isolation keeps patients silent. We then discuss how caregivers and medical professionals can best support us, and the importance of active listening.
In this clip, Rasheed, Jenna and I discuss the best ways for caregivers and medical professionals to lend support to those suffering from chronic and mental health challenges, the benefits of active listening skills and the value of patient advocates. We also speak about the overlooked vital role of the caregiver, and why it is so important for caregivers to seek support.