Frustrated

I'm feeling frustrated with the lack of mental health services available for non-insured, low-income start-up business owners. I had to call 20 psychiatric offices today only to find out they don't take provincial msp coverage... maybe I'm wrong and I misunderstood. So then one place tells me to call Access and Accessibility Centre. Called them and apparently I'm in the catchment and they recommended Richmond Mental Health services which needs a referral. Why is it sooo difficult to get help? The silver lining? I'm not suicidal...but if I was I definitely wouldn't go through all this effort to get my mental health taken care. I'm sick of barely having enough food, living one month to another wondering if I'll make enough sales while everyone around me wants a deal. On top of that, I don't have the fuckin time to apply for CEBA, CERS or any grant. How does the government expect sole proprietors to do all that plus run a business on your own. Hopefully my family survives. I just wish I could crawl under my blanket and cry for days.

23 Comments

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I hope you can find the time and space to cry

Feb 23, 2021 at 4:08am

Getting a referral from your GP is usually the only way to get in to see a psychiatrist; expect a long wait as there is significant demand for supports.
Also, you are right regarding the grants: most senior beaurocrats that actually execute these initiatives have almost no private sector experience and neither do most of the people in their lives. The best ones keep this in mind and try their best to make life easier for people like you. I wish you the utter best of fortune.

6 2Rating: +4

@Frustrated

Feb 23, 2021 at 5:12am

I feel your pain because I'm in the same basic situation.

4 2Rating: +2

You’re right

Feb 23, 2021 at 6:57am

I am proud of you for being proactive about your mental health and furious on your behalf that you are getting the run around.

In order to normalize and legitimize the message “don’t be afraid to seek help” there needs to be help readily available that requires no inconvenience, repetition, or unnecessary humiliation to access. Frustrating indeed.

10 2Rating: +8

Just so you know

Feb 23, 2021 at 7:10am

What you said here -----> "I'm sick of barely having enough food, living one month to another wondering if I'll make enough sales while everyone around me wants a deal."

Is every small business owner. EVERY-SINGLE-ONE. So work less on that business and get a normal job to supplement. <---- Also what other people do, sometimes.

5 8Rating: -3

Hugs to all small business owners

Feb 23, 2021 at 7:37am

I wish I could tell you it will get better. If you are a business owner in Vancouver right now, it probably won't anytime soon. At some point, and unfortunately by your words you already have, you will have to make a decision which is most important, you or your business. Hugs. Many people read your confession and can see that you are in for some tough times. I hope it gets better.

3 2Rating: +1

Sounds

Feb 23, 2021 at 11:39am

Like it is time to find a different profession. Something that does not effect your health so much. Good luck.

6 5Rating: +1

Crum Bling

Feb 23, 2021 at 12:32pm

Ya I was going to add to this... but I had to stop. Just thinking about our health care system puts me in a rage. It’s corrupt. Or incompetent. Both? Who knows...

12 3Rating: +9

D. Chappelle

Feb 23, 2021 at 1:53pm

Our healthcare provider and our government took a page out of the Popcopy training video on the Chappelle Show. “Make the customer feel unwelcome, if they have this, tell them we’re that. They have that, tell them we’re this. They have both? Tell them our system is down.”

Why treat people like this? Cause f**k ‘m that’s why!”

10 2Rating: +8

Failures of Medical Institutions

Feb 23, 2021 at 7:13pm

They're not the only ones failing. "Repetition and unnecessary humiliation" is commonplace with institutions and businesses who care more about projecting an image of their philosophies and dedication to helping people and communities rather than actually delivering any service. Apathy, ignorance, violence, ego-centred, profit-centric...Imagine helping people with their concerns when they come to you for help instead, minimizing, gaslighting, ignoring, shunning, deferring...until. What are we asking of people. Why is the burden always on the individual. So much added suffering on the already suffering. Shameless society.

10 2Rating: +8

@Failures of

Feb 23, 2021 at 10:46pm

Even the pot shops are guilty of this behaviour. I know which products are quality and the ones overpriced... but I will still ask the bud tender questions. The amount of times they suggest me the low thc overpriced stuff is getting really consistent. I bought 2 prerolls last week... they were packaged on Aug 2020. Seven months old?! Wtf. It was an awful joint. A fossilized disappointment. Shame on these bumbaclot bastards. And none of the numbers on your products make any sense. I’m done with government weed because of this... might have to apply for a permit to grow my own unraped ganj.

10 3Rating: +7

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