For those of you that had a chance to read my previous blog you will already understand the title of this current post. For those of you that haven't had the opportunity to read it, the summary is as follows.
After watching an episode of W5 about mental health and mental illness among students, which focused on The Jack Project and the work of its founder Eric Windeler, I shared my thoughts about the subject and the organization. When I was sending out an email to let people know about the post I also wanted to include Mr. Windeler as I believe it's important he is aware. Today I received an email from Mr. Windeler and I thought I'd share it, and my response, with all of you.
"On 2013-10-03, at 11:52 AM, Eric Windeler wrote:
Hi Josh,
This message came directly to me. At first I wasn't sure how to respond. And this past week I've been away in the UK where I attended iaymh2013.com a global summit on youth mental health. My youth lead, and founder of our national student summit (unleashthenoise.com) was the plenary speaker to open the entire conference.
Suffice to say, based on what I see below, either you don't fully understand our approach and mission, or perhaps we disagree on approach. Ours is based on best practices in youth mental health and supported by CAMH, the Mental Health Commission, CMHA, etc.
Our approach is far from negative. In fact I'd say it's perhaps the most positive, youth-engaging and inclusive of any. We're proud of it and how young people are rallying around our message and initiatives. I encourage you to review all our sites and our approach.
I wish you the very best in your continued efforts to contribute to the well being of youth in Canada."
--
Eric Windeler, Founder
The Jack Project
c/o MaRS Discovery District
101 College St.
Toronto, ON M5G 1L7
thejackproject.org unleashthenoise.com rideforjack.com @TheJackProject
This is my response sent earlier today.
Hi Eric,
When I initially saw your email I was actually excited and somewhat anxious to read it in hopes that you were going to engage me. Unfortunately to my disappointment I received this. I am very well versed in your mission statements and I have visited your site many times and quite thoroughly in fact.
This email you sent me sounds like something that would play as a recording on your company answering machine if I had called to report a concern. Using CAMH as a leaning pole doesn't do much for me and if you don't realize that going into schools with the message you are brandishing, "1 out of 4 youth will suffer from a mental health issue", is reckless and unfounded, I'm not sure there is a point in us even communicating. In my eyes and in the eyes of many, you are creating a scenario where eventually people will accept that 25% of our kids are suffering and where will that lead, I'm guessing to more prescription drugs, which CAMH will be right there to dispense and prescribe. I know you are a business man Eric and so I know you will understand when I say that what you are doing is very comparable to the bottled water scenario. Many years ago we were told that bottled water is the way to go and all other water pales in comparison and tap water is bad. Truth of the matter is that tap water and even toilet water is probably safer to drink than the average bottle of water for sale today, but look what happened, everybody drinks bottled water.
I am further disappointed that you didn't counter any of my points, nor did you attempt to challenge me in any real way on this subject. Maybe now that it's a personal email you can answer me directly. Since when did depression, anxiety and panic disorder become mental illnesses as opposed to emotional issues? As far as I know, Schizophrenia and Bi-Polar disorder are real mental illnesses and while there are many treatments, there is no cure for them, but depression, anxiety and panic disorder can all be cured. Lastly, since when did not wanting to go to work in the morning for many days in a row make you depressed? For the majority of our population wouldn't you say that they probably hate going to work almost every single day of their lives? I guess they are all mentally ill too, or maybe they were mentally ill to begin with because they had little money and yet they got married and had kids and now they are dealing with that poor decision. Maybe that is a message you and I should go into schools promoting? Healthy choices, emotional awareness, communication skills, etc. Doesn't that sound a lot more positive to you?
The last question I have for you, which I have asked you several times and you have yet to respond, how is it that you have been quoted saying that you and your family had no idea there was anything wrong with Jack and yet somehow after his death you were able to obtain a diagnosis of mental illness? That has to be one of the only times in history that a doctor could diagnose someone whose brain is no longer functioning. Let me repeat this next fact again, if you or anyone else you can think of, is living with someone for over 15 years that had a REAL mental illness, you would know! There is no doubt, no surprise and no ability to hide it. Seeing that you are talking about CAMH, if you wanted to have a look at some real mental illness sufferers, you could always go there. I promise you won't leave there with the feeling that someone could hide a mental illness.
I could go on and on, and if you'd ever like to sit and chat or some other option, I'd always be interested and willing.
I hope that you can see my point and maybe you can realize that your intent may be great, but your method could improve. You want to help people, not hurt them.
Josh
I would be very interested to hear thoughts from all of you out there, regardless if they are good or bad. As always I appreciate the support, I understand if you disagree and all I ask is that you have a look with an open mind. At the end of the day I have one goal and one goal only. Helping all children grow to be successful adults. Thank you all once again for your continued support and for taking the time.
After watching an episode of W5 about mental health and mental illness among students, which focused on The Jack Project and the work of its founder Eric Windeler, I shared my thoughts about the subject and the organization. When I was sending out an email to let people know about the post I also wanted to include Mr. Windeler as I believe it's important he is aware. Today I received an email from Mr. Windeler and I thought I'd share it, and my response, with all of you.
"On 2013-10-03, at 11:52 AM, Eric Windeler wrote:
Hi Josh,
This message came directly to me. At first I wasn't sure how to respond. And this past week I've been away in the UK where I attended iaymh2013.com a global summit on youth mental health. My youth lead, and founder of our national student summit (unleashthenoise.com) was the plenary speaker to open the entire conference.
Suffice to say, based on what I see below, either you don't fully understand our approach and mission, or perhaps we disagree on approach. Ours is based on best practices in youth mental health and supported by CAMH, the Mental Health Commission, CMHA, etc.
Our approach is far from negative. In fact I'd say it's perhaps the most positive, youth-engaging and inclusive of any. We're proud of it and how young people are rallying around our message and initiatives. I encourage you to review all our sites and our approach.
I wish you the very best in your continued efforts to contribute to the well being of youth in Canada."
--
Eric Windeler, Founder
The Jack Project
c/o MaRS Discovery District
101 College St.
Toronto, ON M5G 1L7
thejackproject.org unleashthenoise.com rideforjack.com @TheJackProject
This is my response sent earlier today.
Hi Eric,
When I initially saw your email I was actually excited and somewhat anxious to read it in hopes that you were going to engage me. Unfortunately to my disappointment I received this. I am very well versed in your mission statements and I have visited your site many times and quite thoroughly in fact.
This email you sent me sounds like something that would play as a recording on your company answering machine if I had called to report a concern. Using CAMH as a leaning pole doesn't do much for me and if you don't realize that going into schools with the message you are brandishing, "1 out of 4 youth will suffer from a mental health issue", is reckless and unfounded, I'm not sure there is a point in us even communicating. In my eyes and in the eyes of many, you are creating a scenario where eventually people will accept that 25% of our kids are suffering and where will that lead, I'm guessing to more prescription drugs, which CAMH will be right there to dispense and prescribe. I know you are a business man Eric and so I know you will understand when I say that what you are doing is very comparable to the bottled water scenario. Many years ago we were told that bottled water is the way to go and all other water pales in comparison and tap water is bad. Truth of the matter is that tap water and even toilet water is probably safer to drink than the average bottle of water for sale today, but look what happened, everybody drinks bottled water.
I am further disappointed that you didn't counter any of my points, nor did you attempt to challenge me in any real way on this subject. Maybe now that it's a personal email you can answer me directly. Since when did depression, anxiety and panic disorder become mental illnesses as opposed to emotional issues? As far as I know, Schizophrenia and Bi-Polar disorder are real mental illnesses and while there are many treatments, there is no cure for them, but depression, anxiety and panic disorder can all be cured. Lastly, since when did not wanting to go to work in the morning for many days in a row make you depressed? For the majority of our population wouldn't you say that they probably hate going to work almost every single day of their lives? I guess they are all mentally ill too, or maybe they were mentally ill to begin with because they had little money and yet they got married and had kids and now they are dealing with that poor decision. Maybe that is a message you and I should go into schools promoting? Healthy choices, emotional awareness, communication skills, etc. Doesn't that sound a lot more positive to you?
The last question I have for you, which I have asked you several times and you have yet to respond, how is it that you have been quoted saying that you and your family had no idea there was anything wrong with Jack and yet somehow after his death you were able to obtain a diagnosis of mental illness? That has to be one of the only times in history that a doctor could diagnose someone whose brain is no longer functioning. Let me repeat this next fact again, if you or anyone else you can think of, is living with someone for over 15 years that had a REAL mental illness, you would know! There is no doubt, no surprise and no ability to hide it. Seeing that you are talking about CAMH, if you wanted to have a look at some real mental illness sufferers, you could always go there. I promise you won't leave there with the feeling that someone could hide a mental illness.
I could go on and on, and if you'd ever like to sit and chat or some other option, I'd always be interested and willing.
I hope that you can see my point and maybe you can realize that your intent may be great, but your method could improve. You want to help people, not hurt them.
Josh
I would be very interested to hear thoughts from all of you out there, regardless if they are good or bad. As always I appreciate the support, I understand if you disagree and all I ask is that you have a look with an open mind. At the end of the day I have one goal and one goal only. Helping all children grow to be successful adults. Thank you all once again for your continued support and for taking the time.
