Statement made on 26 November 2009 by Senator Jane Cordy
Hon. Jane Cordy:
Honourable senators, I have had the privilege of visiting The Missing Lint Co-operative in Sydney, Nova Scotia. The Missing Lint is a not-for-profit organization whose mandate is to employ individuals who have faced challenges obtaining and retaining jobs because of poor mental health.
Incorporated in 2003, The Missing Lint has employed more than 80 individuals living with mental illness. Along with employing individuals with their printing and photocopying service, the cooperative has also employed individuals for electronics manufacturing and testing, light demolition and cleaning, and they have developed a publication called men-tal'-i-ty.
I took an interest in The Missing Lint after reading their magazine men-tal'-i-ty and after discovering what the organization does. I had the opportunity to meet with David Crowe, editor of men-tal'-i-ty magazine, and members of the board while I was in Sydney. The magazine is a quarterly publication that provides a forum for individuals living with mental illness to publish their artistic and creative works. It is the only publication of its kind in Canada, and it is completely comprised of material provided by people who have self-identified as having a mental illness. The magazine is a valuable forum to showcase the talented contributions of those who live with poor mental health, not only in Sydney but in communities all across Canada. Men-tal'-i-ty magazine has been a strong advocate in bringing the issues of people living with mental illness out of the shadows.
To quote Mr. Crowe:
It feels good to know we're adding our voices to a growing chorus and that together we're combating the mystery, fear, and ignorance that so often surround mental illness.
Initially the magazine was comprised of only submissions from Nova Scotia, but the magazine has been garnering attention from groups and individuals from all across the country and is now receiving submissions from artists living with mental illness from all over Canada.
It is encouraging to see the positive impact The Missing Lint is having on the community of Sydney as well as across the country through their publication. The good work of The Missing Lint would not be possible without the generosity of the volunteer board of directors made up of community, business and mental health representatives. I am always amazed and inspired by what a small group of dedicated members of a community can accomplish.
Honourable senators, there are such good things happening in the field of mental health and mental illness awareness in small towns and cities across Canada. I also feel privileged to have been part of the Social Affairs Committee, which studied the issue of mental health and mental illness, because we were given the opportunity to meet many wonderful people involved in this field.
I wholeheartedly support the efforts of The Missing Lint, and I am happy to spread the word of their excellent magazine, men-tal'-i-ty. It is truly an inspiration and an excellent read.