‘It’s the work out of heart’: Richmond organization aims to spread mental health awareness

For 23 years, one community organization in Richmond has been seeking to build a bridge of understanding on mental wellness.

The Community Mental Wellness Association, founded in 1995, is a grassroots organization that connects those with mental illness to culturally appropriate services, education, training and community. Each week, CMWAC hosts a variety of events including dance classes, karaoke, a choir, gardening club, workshops and counselling – all to encourage community and a sense of belonging.

“Social integration back into the community is a big focus that we have,” said Lorna Davies, a volunteer with CMWAC. “We have these projects and programs going on for those with illness or without to have that social integration to be back to being self-confident in who they are.”

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, one in five people in Canada will experience a mental health problem in any given year and by the age of 40, approximately 50 per cent of the population will have or have had a mental illness. For Ashu Kalsi, another CMWAC volunteer and counsellor, cases of mental illnesses appear to be increasing.

“There is an impediment going on as far as mental illness goes,” Kalsi said. “This has always been an issue, but yes, you can see there has been a slow and gradual increase. But there are two sides to it. People are also opening up more. They’re talking about it more.”

According to Ahlay Chin, CMWAC’s founder, the Richmond community is unique, even though more people are talking about mental health. While the organization’s services are open to everyone, cultural barriers within the Chinese communities are still preventing many from seeking support, as mental health is still taboo.

“It’s dangerous, it’s mysterious,” Chin said of the Chinese community’s perception of mental illness, adding that many don’t know the signs of some common mental illnesses.

“They know nothing about depression’s symptoms. Very surprisingly, people don’t even know what is depression.”

Chin also pointed out that language is a significant barrier for many Richmond residents needing mental health support, especially if they don’t speak English. Even at CMWAC’s monthly educational workshops, she never knows who is going to come.

“I speak three languages and this is part of my job here. To try to interpret,” Chin said. “This is also one of the biggest challenges. Chinese speak Mandarin, Cantonese…sometimes I need to interpret two languages.”

But Chin founded this organization 23 years ago to address some of these concerns and continues to work towards solutions. After living with depression herself in the 1980s and getting help from a counsellor, Chin wanted to support others.

“There’s no help in the Chinese community. It’s taboo. No one talks about it,” she said. “I want to help.”

Uniquely, all these weekly programs are primarily run and supported by volunteers, with Chin working as the only paid employee.

“I feel that’s what’s unique about this organization, that people are doing this voluntarily,” Kalsi said “They’re not being paid. So it’s the work out of heart, it’s out of compassion that people are working here. And it has stood the test of time.”

To learn more about CMWAC and its programs, visit the organization’s website.