Tova:: Welcome to this week’s Inclusion Revolution here on Eastlink TV. We’re so glad you could join us. Today we are joined by Natasha Chestnut. Natasha is a senior education coordinator with Reachability and she also spearheads one of the really most important entry level programs I think anyone can take advantage of in our community of persons with disabilities and that is the Asset Program which is focused on a confidence building piece. So, welcome Natasha.

Natasha: Thank you.

Tova:: Thank you for joining us.

Natasha: Thanks.

Tova:: Again, as I’ve mentioned, the reason I was so interested in having you come on today is I’m hearing so much about the absence of confidence…

Natasha: Yes.

Tova:: … in persons with disabilities. I am not suggesting other persons don’t have it…

Natasha: Yup.

Tova:: But our focus is really integration of persons with disabilities here on Inclusion Revolution. So my question to you, just to start is, why is confidence so low in persons with disabilities and, again, what are you doing to try to make the change there and why?

Natasha: Yeah, um, and I would love to talk about this because this is a huge barrier that I notice in clients coming in is the lower levels of confidence and you know a lot of is stemming from some of the barriers that peoples with disabilities would face. Also the stigmas of society and even just the supports in their life. Sometimes there’s a lot of inconsistencies for people living with disabilities, you know, they’re getting a message from the media or society saying one thing, family saying another, they’re believing something completely different, and you know, also, just general setbacks. Things may not always come as easily to them as they do for people not living with a disability. Certainly because our programs have that employment focus, what I see most often is people living with disabilities that, you know, maybe they’ve been let go from a job, maybe they’re finding it harder to get jobs, and that’s all really playing into how they feel about themselves. So it’s definitely a huge thing in my opinion that needs to be addressed.

Tova:: Right. And again, specifically around persons with disabilities.

Natasha: Yup.

Tova:: As you know, I have such a concern around the stigma and the misunderstanding.

Natasha: Yes.

Tova:: And, um, you know, as a disability awareness trainer for me, it’s extremely important …

Natasha: Yes.

Tova:: To share to the mainstream community, the employers and public sector that I work with, the importance of realizing…

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: …that nobody wants to be different. Everybody just wants to be included, and the additional stigma having a disability has, I can see how definitely it would weigh on what is already a challenge which is self confidence for anybody.

Natasha: Yup, for sure.

Tova:: So the clients are coming to you, and you know, different people who maybe want to work or move forward.

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: Or just really require that checking – checking in on themselves.

Natasha: Or just feeling good about themselves in general.

Tova:: To feel good, exactly. What is the process in which you take them through?

Natasha: Yeah. Well, with my program, the Asset Program, as you mentioned earlier, it’s a five day program, so I really like to start it off, um, on the first day. I take…I usually work with three people at a time, no more than that, so it’s a fairly…

Tova:: Small group, which is really important, yeah.

Natasha: Yeah, it keeps it pretty intimate so you can give a lot of one on one time. The thing I like to talk about is that confidence is probably going to mean different things to different people. So there’s that dictionary definition of confidence which is how we view ourselves and then there’s what it means to the individual. So for some people confidence just means, I just want to feel happy. Or for some people confidence means being successful. So I really want to plug into each person what confidence means to them. Then obviously we have to look at the areas that they’re lacking confidence. And I do different assessments to get an idea of that, but I really want to listen to them. I want… they’re gonna tell me. I wanna hear their story. So, it’s really doing a case by case. I don’t want to get up there and just do a class on, you know, twenty tips to feel better about yourself.

Tova:: Right.

Natasha: Because it’s different for them. They’re coming from such different experiences and that’s another thing we really talk about is getting each person to share, you know, why do you think your confidence is where it’s at? What experiences have lead to this? Sometimes it’s, you know, social isolation, it’s lack of employment, it’s I have no supports, I have no friends, or, you know, the people in my life are great but I feel really alone cause they just don’t get it.

Tova:: Right.

Natasha: And that makes me feel very worthless.

Tova:: Right.

Natasha: So that’s where we would start. Now I could go through the rest of the four days and give you some more ideas of what we do because we do quite a bit. Um, I like to do a lot of case studies. I like to really address positive thinking strategies. I think that’s a good start, is we have to get thinking more positively about our situation and how we’re perceiving it. That’s crucial…

Tova:: Right.

Natasha: …to feeling better.

Tova:: So first of all it’s identified – for instance, how does someone know that, you know, really truly, how does someone find you, because in a sense we all probably have challenges with self confidence and those of us with disabilities …

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: …as we’ve identified might even experience a greater need to address their lack of confidence. And the question is, how do they find you. Like, what would be the process if one of our listeners went, I think that would be really important for myself or someone I know, and – and then we’ll get back to some more of the content. But just so, because I always forget to do this at the end.

Natasha: Okay.

Tova:: So I want to make sure we tell them first of all …

Natasha: How to find me?

Tova:: if they’re interested, how to find you and your idea and your concept of this entry level confidence building piece.

Natasha: Definitely check out the website for sure. www.reachability.org. Call us and there is a bit of a process in terms of getting into the program. It’s just making sure that the person’s referred by an appropriate, you know, agency. And it’s pretty open. Asset’s very ongoing. It’s weekly, so I’m always taking new people in, but definitely if a person could just contact me, I can really steer them in the right direction. Even if they just want to come in and meet me.

Tova:: Right, right.

Natasha: And I can talk to them about the program and explain what it’s about or over the phone.

Tova:: Right. So that’s – that – that’s just the how to find you.

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: But let me ask you also, how does someone know they need it? Do you know what I mean? I mean we’re sitting home, we’re a little discouraged, we’re frustrated, we’ve put in maybe a few resumés, nothing is happening, I can’t speak to anyone’s particular history.

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: But – but first of all …

Natasha: How do they know that they need it?

Tova:: What are the signs – I’m sitting at home right now watching this show and I’m going, you know what, this really is important for me as a first step.

Natasha: Yeah, I think when you’re – when you’re lacking confidence, first of all, there’s probably a little bit of a sense of maybe helplessness or negativity or maybe feeling just in general like my life’s not going in the direction I want it to go and, you know, my life’s not bad, but it’s not great. And those would be some key indications. Maybe people around you have picked up on some negativity or picked up on the fact that, you know, you don’t seem to be feeling that great lately and that would certainly be another indication. Then there’s also just that feeling. Just that things just don’t feel right. They don’t feel good.

Tova:: Right.

Natasha: I want to feel better.

Tova:: Right. So, we want to feel better. We want to do it. But you mentioned it’s five days and you – you’ll have to forgive me, I have to say to you…

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: Can we change the way we think, or at least affect some of the negative results of a lack of self confidence would provide …

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: …in five days? Or what’s – I mean…

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: …do they have a lot of homework? I mean….

Natasha: I don’t do – I don’t really do a lot of homework.

Tova:: Okay.

Natasha: I do journaling and stuff like that.

Tova:: Okay.

Natasha: No, you’re right. Asset would really be sort of the tip of the iceberg because that’s really just coming in and realizing, wow, this is what’s playing into my lack of self confidence and I have all these great ideas, now I have to move forward with that. And, um, you know we do have other programs within our office that also address confidence issues and take it a step further. You know, moving them forward towards…

Tova:: Right.

Natasha: …their goals. So, that’s the good thing. It’s not like you just come in five days, you know, and send you on your way. There are other programs that people can access if they still don’t feel where they need to be .

Tova:: Right.

Natasha: Some people are. Some people after five days, you know, they have a pretty good idea.

Tova:: Right. So that – that is my question. So what are some of the – the – the measurables or the results.

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: In other words, is it really possible after five days to feel better with yourself?

Natasha: Yes. Um, like I had mentioned earlier, I do assessments, so one of the things I do when people come in on the first day is I give them some assessments. Basically what I’m looking at is just to see what their scores are in different levels of confidence. So how they feel communication wise, what’s their work confidence, how do they feel about themselves personally. How do they feel about their lifestyle, et cetera, there’s – there a few.

Tova:: Right. So we are also creating an environment where they’re reflecting on some things that perhaps….

Natasha: Yup.

Tova:: ….they even hadn’t reflected on, let alone gives you a….

Natasha: Right.

Tova:: ….measure of where they’re at.

Natasha: Yup. Cause you can have confidences really high in one area, really low in the other.

Tova:: Right.

Natasha: Right. It’s not consistent across the board.

Tova:: Right.

Natasha: It changes. So, the one thing I do at the end of the program, after the end of the five days, is I would administer the same set of assessments and compare scores.

Tova:: Ah – and then you measure. And how has that been going?

Natasha: Very good. Very very positive. Um…

Tova:: Right. So, they’re saying, I’ve improved in this area, the area that was like a….

Natasha: Yup.

Tova:: …zeros maybe a four.

Natasha: Yup.

Tova:: That’s the kind of things you’re seeing?

Natasha: Even if it goes up one point. Two points, you know. That’s an indication that wow, look at the progress you’ve made in only five days. Because it is only five days. So think if you were applying those principles for a month, two months.

Tova:: Right, right.

Natasha: It can continue to go up.

Tova:: Can I – just – just because we’re gonna have to take a break…

Natasha: Sure.

Tova:: But when able to come back, I want to ask you a couple of questions about why those numbers…

Natasha: Sure.

Tova:: Because I am a little curious as to like, you said three to one.

Natasha: Yes. Yeah.

Tova:: Um, in terms of an instructor to client. So, I’m very interested in that.

Natasha: Sure.

Tova:: So, we’re gonna take a very short break here on Inclusion Revolution and when we come back we’re going to be join – joined by Natasha Chestnut. We’re gonna talk more about the importance of confidence and self confidence as we move forward and really integrate ourselves into the community in the way that we wish to. We’ll be right back after this short break.

[Music]

Tova:: Welcome back to Inclusion Revolution where Tova: Sherman, your host, and Natasha Chestnut is joining us from Reachability. We’ve been talking about the importance of confidence and self confidence, especially for those of us who do live with disability and have faced a great deal of stigma throughout our lives around what that all means. Now, Natasha, right before we broke I wanted to ask you about your ratio.

Natasha: Yes.

Tova:: Because, I mean, one could do a confidence building for as many people as they could fit in a room.

Natasha: Sure.

Tova:: But I noticed that you had mentioned that it’s a three to one ratio.

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: And it’s – I’m curious about that as to – is it the most effective, is there a reason why one does a ratio like that versus maybe more people who could get through it….

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: …as a result of making it for a larger group.

Natasha: Sure. Well, one of our philosophies is many services to the few. And I think that’s really important. When I’m working with three people, you know, it’s a good enough number that there’s some group activity and they can share stories and learn, you know, I’m not so alone. But it also allows me to really give some one on one attention to really address some of the key issues going on. Because like I said, if it – if it’s, you know, if it’s a room with say twenty people, you know, I can talk about tips and this is what you need to do. Try this and that will improve your confidence. I don’t know if that’s really gonna get into what’s effecting them personally.

Tova:: Right.

Natasha: Because they’re coming from their own different experiences and having that smaller ratio really allows me to tap into that.

Tova:: And you’re not doing one on one because, as you mentioned, it’s very important also to still have some of that exposure to other people and other issues and, again….

Natasha: Yup.

Tova:: That – that plays into some of the stuff that you do.

Natasha: Yeah. And I would do a one on one if, ah, if it was an accommodation and deemed necessary.

Tova:: Right.

Natasha: And worked for that person to come and do the course.

Tova:: Right, I understand.

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: So, you’re flexible in terms of that.

Natasha: For sure.

Tova:: But you try to stick to your numbers…

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: …as part of like a plan essentially to allow…

Natasha: Yes, yeah.

Tova:: ….enough sharing but enough individual work in that so – in that five days.

Natasha: Yes, because that’s very important.

Tova:: Right. Now, what I want to know is, so, they’re coming in for five days. What I thought was really interesting that you explained to me earlier, um….

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: ….before we came on was the fact that so many people come in and not just with the term self conf – lack of confidence, but actually a complete lack of awareness that they have any skills or any, you know…

Natasha: Yes.

Tova:: …particular stuff that would be relevant in a workplace or even in just getting out there and volunteering.

Natasha: Yup.

Tova:: How does someone address that? And is that what really has been happening, they just don’t see themselves as having any skills?

Natasha: Yup. That’s definitely the case. Quite often. Not all the time but it definitely happens. Or I’ll ask, you know, I usually will ask that to clients on the first day, you know, what do you feel some of your strengths are? And you’re right, a lot of people, they can’t answer that. Either they feel they don’t have any or they just don’t know.

Tova:: Can you just define for me just the difference…

Natasha: Sure.

Tova:: …between strengths and skills cause I’m not sure I know.

Natasha: Yeah, I think that gets a little misconstrued too. I think what a lot of people, when I ask that question, they’re thinking skills. So they’re thinking things that I can do and do really well, so, you know, maybe just driving a car or painting or, you know, something like that. It’s tactile, we can see it.

Tova:: Right.

Natasha: And to me strengths are a lot more than that. Strengths involve partly that, but also, you know, our personality traits. Um, you know, maybe you’re really good with people. Maybe you’re really compassionate. Maybe you’re a really good listener. Those are strengths. Also looking at your interests. A lot of people don’t realize there are so many transferable skills from your interests. So you could have hobbies and have some skills in that that are transferrable to other areas on your life. But, you know, people don’t always put that together.

Tova:: Right. And that’s a powerful message, because the concept of transferrable skills isn’t something that most people think about. For instance…

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: …I love to read. Well that means that you probably have a very good vocabulary.

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: That probably means that, you know, you – you can be on your own and do your thing but at the same time you’re interested in other things and you have a curiosity.

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: So those to me are definitely strengths.

Natasha: Yes.

Tova:: But one may not see them, and I guess that’s what I’m hearing from you, just because they like to read. And you’re the person that kind of …

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: …connects those up for them.

Natasha: Yeah. And we definitely do quite a variety of exercises where I’ll provide them with some lists of different strengths and skills and sometimes it’s easier. They can look at it and start picking out things and say oh, I am good at that. Oh no, I’m good at that too. And they can highlight it and go through. And then it starts making sense cause they’re seeing it and realizing, okay, I do have that.

Tova:: So have you seen people literally come in and say, I can’t do anything, I’m not good at anything and then obviously by the end of your five day…

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: ….intervention they get it.

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: Like they really get it.

Natasha: Yeah. I was telling your earlier like with the assessments I would say I was looking at the results the other day that 95% of clients completing have shown significant improvements in their confidence. Some people have maintained. There’s been a very small small percentage where the confidence maybe has gone down. And that’s not always a bad thing.

Tova:: And I know where you’re going with this. So sometimes people come in with an unrealistic ….

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: …impression of themselves.

Natasha: Very unrealistic sometimes.

Tova:: And we put surveys in front of them and they’ll say, what is your reading skill? 100. What is your confidence skill? 100.

Natasha: Yup.

Tova:: What is …so, you’re – what you’re referring to I believe and correct me…

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: ….is the fact that sometimes they sort of realize that that 100% isn’t really them and a more realistic them is perhaps at 75 or 80 which…

Natasha: Yes.

Tova:: …is a very healthy place to be.

Natasha: Which I consider such an amazing thing too because now we have a level of awareness.

Tova:: Right.

Natasha: So it’s easy to come in and just put 10, 10, 10, 10, I’m perfect at all of this. But then when you really think about it and you want to look at yourself realistically and have a good awareness, none of us are perfect.

Tova:: Right. Right. So, that’s – either way, it’s a little bit of a success. You’ve got a….

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: ….nice set up there.

Natasha: Oh yeah. Oh yeah.

Tova:: Failure proof.

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: It’s wonderful. So, again, after the five days, I know that most of the people who go through it aren’t necessarily done. And that doesn’t mean….
Natasha: That’s right.

Tova:: …that they didn’t gain knowledge, but wouldn’t they be in a better position to move on to more directed or targeted employment services or whatever their needs are because they’ve got a better self awareness, or am I jumping too quickly to that?

Natasha: Ah, no. Definitely within the five days I get a better idea of what some of their barriers still are.

Tova:: Right.

Natasha: Where I’m still seeing gaps. Um, I’ve had a client a while ago that one of the biggest gaps was lack of assertiveness. So, feeling confident in some areas but still not feeling confident enough to assert themselves when people, you know, are maybe taking them for granted or, you know, treating them poorly.

Tova:: Right.

Natasha: So, you know, I might suggest, you know, we have another program, what we call Cycle, which is a conflict management program. Conflict doesn’t mean just how to, you know, deal well in a fight.

Tova:: Or win a fight.

Natasha: Or an argument.

Tova:: Yeah, win the fight.

Natasha: Yeah, that’s not what it’s about.

Tova:: Right.

Natasha: The majority of that is how to handle situations assertively. So, where I see that as a gap for that individual, I might suggest them getting more information. Meeting the coordinator of that program. That might be a next step intervention for them.

Tova:: Right. So for you, within that continuum of service that you offer Reachability…

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: …the beginning and the end is not necessarily the confidence piece, but you definitely see it as a key to the beginning…

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: …and allowing you to assess and look for other opportunities where they might continue to grow.

Natasha: Yes.

Tova:: I know you have to – you confer with the – the plan and the case managers and all of those things.

Natasha: Def – yeah, definitely.

Tova:: Right. But, so, what’s happened with those clients? Are most of them moving on to something. Or are they saying, thanks for the five days, it’s been great meeting you?

Natasha: Yeah. There are some different stats for different programs.

Tova:: Correct.

Natasha: But, you know, we all work together. Our coordinators all work together, it’s all about, you know, how can we help this client? How can we support them best? So, on average, if you took all the programs together, I would say there’s about an 80%…

Tova:: Really? That are doing something else afterwards?

Natasha: …of people transitioning. So, that might be transitioning to school, it might be work, part time or full time, it might be transitioning into another intervention, you know, outside of Reachability, that’s beneficial to them. But there’s definitely …

Tova:: I have to admit, those are high numbers.

Natasha: Oh, they’re very high numbers, yeah.

Tova:: Why? I’m gonna to put you on the spot.

Natasha: Why?

Tova:: Why are the number seemingly very high, in terms of…

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: …even wanting to move on and saying it’s worth while continuing to invest my time and energy in this environment?

Natasha: Yeah. I’m gonna come back to the many services for the few. So, just right there, we have more time to spend with some clients, we have more programs to offer them. You know, to offer that support. And because we’re passionate. We really really care what happens to our clients and where they proceed. So, and I think when you combine that, that’s why you are seeing good results. Also, I think our programs, I think we’ve put a lot of thought into how to build a good solid program. We’ve had ten years experience doing it.

Tova:: Congratulations. I know it’s….

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: …ten years this year, that’s right.

Natasha: It will be in June, that’s right.

Tova:: In June. Well, before – we’re gonna take a brief break.

Natasha: Sure.

Tova:: And when we come back, I wanna talk about some of the places you see your clients going.

Natasha: Oh sure.

Tova:: And some of those results. I’m all about results.

Natasha: Yes.

Tova:: …love to hear it. So, here on Eastlink TV, this is Inclusion Revolution. We’re gonna be right back with Natasha to talk more about confidence building and next steps. We’ll be right back.

[MUSIC]

Tova:: Welcome back to Inclusion Revolution here on Eastlink TV. And again, thank you Natasha Chestnut…

Natasha: Thanks.

Tova:: …from Reachability’s Asset Program and an educational coordinator as well, for coming in and talking about the importance of – of self, um, confidence, but also those next steps, once we start to gain it and where we need to go next if we’re going to integrate persons with disabilities…

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: …equally and create an equal playing field for them in the main stream environment.

Natasha: Sure.

Tova:: And that’s, of course, a very big issue for us here at Inclusion Revolution.

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: Now when we broke, you were telling us that Reachability has been providing those services…

Natasha: Yes.

Tova:: …for ten years now, and I did want to give you a formal good going.

Natasha: Ah, thank you.

Tova:: Ten years in the non-profit community is a good stretch actually.

Natasha: Yes, very good.

Tova:: But to get back to our subject which is after Asset, if I can call it that.

Natasha: Yes. Yeah.

Tova:: And you mentioned again your conflict resolution piece that I know is as well…

Natasha: Yea.

Tova:: …five days. And how does it complement, first of all, Asset? Because is it automatically considered that if you have low confidence, you probably need support in dealing with conflict or concerns like that?

Natasha: I don’t want to say it’s automatic. But I definitely would say more often than not you’re gonna see a trend of that. Like, when you do have very low confidence, most often, at least in the clients I’m seeing….

Tova:: Mmm hmm.

Natasha: …there is that inability to really assert themselves in situations. Or, being maybe overly aggressive. You know…

Tova:: [INAUDIBLE]

Natasha: …to really get the point across. You know, it can go either way for sure. So, I don’t want to say it’s automatic, but I would say there is definitely a trend.

Tova:: Right. Right. So, we’ve done the Asset Program, and it’s for all ages, is it not? Just to be clear?

Natasha: Yes. Yes.

Tova:: Okay. So anyone of any age who requires that…

Natasha: Sixteen and up, yeah.

Tova:: Sixteen and up, thank you.

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: And, um, so now they’ve got an option. And you said 85% or something, or 80%…

Natasha: 80, yeah.

Tova:: …do tend to move on. So, where are they moving on to? You mentioned Cycle, but where are they moving on to?

Natasha: Yeah. Within our organization?

Tova:: Well, for instance, you mentioned many services to the few. So some of them…

Natasha: Yes.

Tova:: …may be staying with you. And of course some you may refer to places I understand.

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: There’s different programs all around the community.

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: But if you were taking someone who, like, give me a scenario if you would of someone and where they might go and how it work out? Like, walk me through a client who says, I don’t know what I need, but I know I need Asset.

Natasha: Yeah. A lot of clients, what I’ll notice, is if they still have some gaps and stuff, I will usually recommend, and I’ll always get them to talk to their case manager, but I will usually recommend one of our longer term programs. So like a Success Twenty or like a Redi-Set-Go Program. If the individual is a youth and feeling like they would like to be working soon, I might recommend like a For Youth or a Gateway.

Tova:: And I’ll tell everybody to go to Reachability.org.

Natasha: Yes. dot org.

Tova:: Cause all those words don’t mean much…

Natasha: I know.

Tova:: …to many people, but check out these so called programs. Yeah, the names.

Natasha: Definitely. Some people do, like I was saying earlier, like some people will transition into work after the five days, cause maybe that’s what they just needed was a bit of a booster to feel a little bit more empowered, like, okay, it’s not hopeless out there. There is opportunity. So they will go on to work. Ah, a lot of people do decide to go to school.

Tova:: Wow.

Natasha: Well, I think, it comes back to the thing you were saying about strengths and skills, thinking, I don’t have any skills, I don’t have any strengths. And what they realize is they do have some strengths in certain areas and they also have the passion in that area. So a lot of people will decide, you know what, I’m gonna go back to school. I’m gonna develop my skills further. And there open some more opportunity.

Tova:: Right. And do you – I have to ask you this. Do you find that a good percentage of your clients, cause I know you are a cross disability agency meaning inclusive of all types.

Natasha: Yup.

Tova:: Are you finding a heavy lean towards mental health in your clientele.

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: Can I ask you that?

Natasha: Yeah, I would definitely agree with that. I wouldn’t be able to give an absolute accurate sort of statistic on how many people come through with mental health, but I’m gonna say at least 50% of the clients we see.

Tova:: And – do you – again, I know this is theory. I won’t…

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: I promise, I won’t quote you on this. However, everyone listening might.

Natasha: [Laughter]

Tova:: But, can you please tell me what – what’s going on from your perspective?

Natasha: Could be a few different things. Um, maybe because it’s – people are feeling a little bit more comfortable disclosing now that they are living with mental health. Maybe because there are a bit more resources and, you know, I know Reachability, one of the things we like to do is we do like to really advocate on behalf of mental health. So, it might be, you know, a little bit more of that. It’s definitely what we’re seeing though.

Tova:: We’re seeing a lot of mental health.

Natasha: We’re definitely seeing more mental health.

Tova:: I know in my experience in the community that has been what I’m seeing, and not necessarily as the exclusive disability, but as one disability they may have in addition to other challenges.

Natasha: It could be a result of living with another disability too, like…

Tova:: Absolutely.

Natasha: You know, someone with a physical one.

Tova:: I was – I was interested cause I’m seeing more and more….

Natasha: Yeah.

Tova:: …through – through my work that the clients and the concerns are around mental health.

Natasha: Yes.

Tova:: So what I’m gonna do is use that as a fantastic segway…

Natasha: Yes.

Tova:: …and our poll and just before I say good-bye Natasha, I wanted you to also, you know, maybe weigh in on this. But I wanted to first read our news today which is a recently released report by the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada says that international data suggests that more than 15% of children may be experiencing symptoms of a mental disorder. Yet more than one in three parents would be embarrassed to admit their child has a mental illness, and that source is My Matters. Come to the Inclusion Revolution dot com website to not only link into that but also to give us your opinion on the poll. And the poll this week is if you or your child was diagnosed with a mental illness, would you be embarrassed to admit it? Would you be embarrassed to admit it?

Natasha: I would not.

Tova:: And that’s because, of course, we’re in the disability field.

Natasha: Yes.

Tova:: And as somebody who lives with mental health, I encourage all of the people viewing our show today that if a member of your family or someone you care about it is showing examples of mental health, don’t ignore it. Deal with it. Thank you so much…

Natasha: Thank you.

Tova:: …Natasha Chestnut.

Natasha: Thank you.

Tova:: For this week’s Inclusion Revolution, I wish you a wonderful week. We’ll see you soon.