'Let's Talk' mental health campaign not inclusive enough, says student with disability

Luke Galvanihas spent a lot of time with doctors in his 25 years.

Galvani has muscular dystrophy.But while his physical health has always been front and centre, no one has asked about his mental health.

That lack of awareness carries over to mental health awareness campaigns like Bell's Let's Talk, Galvani believes.

The Bell campaign whose latest Let's Talk Day on Jan. 31 registered more than 138 million interactions and raised almost $7million aims to bring mental illness into the open.

But Galvani said he has a hard time identifying with its message as a person living with a disability.

• Bell's 'Let's Talk' campaign rings hollow for employees suffering panic attacks, vomiting and anxiety

"It presents a very narrow view of mental health that's largely white, upper-middle class, and able bodied. We need to see other groups in there if we're going to actually destigmatize it," he told On The Coast host Gloria Macarenko.

"We need to start recognizing that the social experiences that we deal with whether it be poverty, or disability, or if you have another minority marker that does influence your mental health."

Canadians with chronic physical conditions are twice as likely to experience a mood disorder compared to those without one,according to areport from the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Children and adolescents with chronic illnesses or disabilities are three times more likely todevelopa psychological disorder, compared with their non-disabled peers, concludedastudyby theShaw Mind Foundation in the U.K.

Financial stress, social isolation and a loss of independence are contributing factors, says the CMA.

Galvani said he first sought help after experiencing suicidal thoughts in 2014. His depression was getting in the way of school and the constant barrage of negative thoughts became unbearable to the point where he "couldn't function."

"I've always been silent about it because it seemed like somehow the stigma is that you're weak if you have mental-health issues, but you're not," he said.

Antidepressants are now part of Galvani's regime of medications, in addition to those that treat his physical symptoms. He said his mental health holds just as much importance, but it took him a long time to be open about his struggle.

More diversity needed

Now that he's found his voice, talking about this issue with his family and caregivers is his biggest source of support.

He said "Let's Talk" has a great goal, but if people are excluded from the conversation, "then we're not really going to get anywhere."

"If you can't identify with the campaign, if it doesn't actually show real stories of mental health beyond one perspective then we're not going to be able to destigmatize it."

To hear the full interview listen to media below:

With files from On The Coast