Conducting various projects throughout the City of Red Deer I often find myself downtown.  It’s an area of our city that I spend a lot of time in. It’s safe, vibrant and changing for the better!  This is thanks to great people that make up our community.

Case in point, Mickey Warkentin, this month’s guest contributor for our blog.  I first met Mickey earlier this summer while downtown having a bowl of soup at Potter’s Hands.  No, I’m not homeless but I like to be inclusive and get to know other members of my community.  This is something I highly recommend for anyone that doubts the potential we all have to change and become more accepting of ALL our neighbours … every single one of us.

Mickey is one of the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta, Red Deer Chapter’s most giving and reliable volunteers.  She has impacted our community in many ways and continues to shine bright, volunteering for organizations such as United Way of Central Alberta, Potter’s Hands Ministries, Canadian Mental Health Association, Crisis Pregnancy Care Centre, Women’s Emergency Shelter and more.  Recently, I asked Mickey to share some of her insight as it relates to safety and crime prevention.  Mickey writes:

Is it true that the general public believes people with mental illness are dangerous? That they are the main cause of crime that happens within our community? Do we seriously believe that they are more dangerous than the average person?

Honestly, from what I’ve seen, this particular population tends to be quite mild, they tend to keep to themselves quite a bit. Many of my friends, family members and even myself – live with mental illness.

Stereotyping is not the key to a safe community. Any population mixed with drugs or alcoholism is ugly. If you’re a person with Schizophrenia or a person who just got laid off work from the rigs – you’re still going to get a little ugly if you chose to cope with a jug of beer every night.

I‘m NOT saying, if we took away alcohol and drugs this community would be crime free! No. There are still people who do stupid things out of anger, frustration or loneliness, jealousy, etc.  There is no one answer to create a perfect peaceful world. BUT I do strongly believe in two key elements: Equality and Inclusion.

So … how do we treat people equally and include them if we are afraid of them? Well … what is the key to overcoming fear?  FACE IT. Does that mean inviting the new guy at work to your house for tea? If you’re a female it may not be a smart idea to invite a “stranger” to your home.  I have found (as a female) it’s not a good idea to invite any man to my house unless I have a family member with me or if they are someone I’ve known and trusted for many years!

If a few of your coworkers are getting together after work at Timmies – this is a good time to invite the new guy – include him and get to know him.

As far as the poor population in our community that may not get a chance to work with you – I find it helps to get to know them by volunteering in the community. Serving at soup kitchens, volunteering a night to help supervise a winter’s inn program, handing out hampers at the food bank, sorting clothes at the clothing bank – there are many ways you can get involved.

In the meantime – “don’t judge a book by it’s cover”. I have stayed at our homeless shelters, I have eaten at our soup kitchens, I have received immense support from the Schizophrenia Society – and I do NOT perceive myself to be a threat to anyone.  I was awarded Volunteer of the Year and have done a lot of guest speaking all over this community on behalf of the United Way. I work when I can and I now know where to go if and when I need help.

I still do NOT feel equal in this community but do feel more included since finding a way to maintain adequate, safe housing and food for myself.  I have been given some GREAT opportunities that most people in my shoes – don’t get.

Please take time to stop and really talk to people – get to know how they are really doing. It’s so easy to quickly say “I’m good … how are you?” When the truth is that life is not “good” at that moment but they know you don’t have time for the truth … or do you? How important is “Community” really to you anyway? Perhaps it’s easier to blame the mentally ill or the severally addicted eh.

Submitted by: Mickey Warkentin

Filed under Community Crime Prevention, Education & Awareness, Portals for Discovery