Lieutenant-governor launches new circle on mental health in Alberta

Lieutenant-governor launches new circle on mental health
Saturday, Oct 08, 2011
By Ryan Tumilty
St. Albert Gazette

Lt. Gov. Donald Ethell launched a new group focused on mental health on Wednesday, aiming to use his position to help end the stigma around mental illness.

Ethell launched the Lieutenant Governor’s Circle on Mental Health and Addiction at Government House with dozens of people involved in mental health on hand. The new circle intends to use forums, a speaker’s series and a new awards program to address mental health in Alberta.

Ethell, a retired colonel with the armed forces, fought his own battle with post-traumatic stress disorder. He said Wednesday that society is moving in the right direction when it comes to the stigma around mental health, but there is more work to be done.

“You go back 10 or 15 years ago, the stigma was such that people wouldn’t seek assistance when they had a problem, heaven forbid going through a door that says mental health. That wouldn’t happen.”

Ethell said his disorder manifested itself through excessive gambling, drinking and smoking.

“I make no excuses by standing up front and saying I have a problem, which I have solved. I have no problem standing up and saying we need help with this,” he said. “I have no problem using my position to advertise that need in our society.”
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