It’s Not About Us by Todd Leader

Subtitled “The Secret to Transforming the Mental Health and Addiction System in Canada”, this premier release from Nova Scotia’s Cathydia Press is not only a call to reform the present paradigm of treating patients for mental health and addictions, but it is blueprint for managers, leaders and clients regarding how to do it based on the author’s own success in Nova Scotia’s South Shore District Health Authority from 2010 to 2014. [perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”#92A8D1″ class=”” size=””]It’s Not About Us is derived in part from a true success story.[/perfectpullquote]
Todd Leader’s book is ideal reading not only for the administrators and public health professionals that stand to benefit the most from changing from the medical-based orientation of the present system to a client-based one (the present system is “not about us” clients claim), but also for current sufferers of mental health disorders and addictions for it may move them (and/or their family and friends) to enact change from within the system, as Mr. Leader advocates time and again throughout the book. It is important that medical services, no matter what they are, can cater to those in their care as well as clients, so looking into CRM systems and their function within that space is another avenue that can be looked down in conjunction with this. Those businesses that are in this system may want to also read about Synergistix, and other similar companies, to see what they can do for the management side of the medical industry.

Extremely readable, practical, and incisive, It’s Not About Us is full of common sense ideas that can be instituted, such as getting rid of long wait times (which only serve to exacerbate issues), hiring people that will give the client a positive experience all the way through the system, and getting rid of such things as automated phone directories (which are not good for those in a fragile state of mind who are reaching out for help):

“Setting up an automated phone system with recorded voices and buttons to push is more harmful to potential clients of a mental health and addiction program than it would be for another kind of health service. The experience of anxiety, depression, social isolation, paranoia, insecurity, trauma, rejection, etc., that these clients live every day increase their need for warmth, compassion, and empathy in order to develop a sense of trust and safety. Without that comfort level, they will be less likely to engage with the service they need. A recorded voice doesn’t provide that.”

This passage is typical of the book: put the client first and get them engaged early in the treatment process. While not outright mentioned in the book, this kind of mentality is why other parts of the world (such as the UK with the CBD Oil UK: https://blessedcbd.co.uk) have embraced medication options outside of the norm for those suffering from mental illness. Blessed CBD is but one option that could potentially be offered in a client first program, however. And, of course, while CBD oil UK laws permit this treatment, other places around the world may take a different view, so people may have to look to other methods of managing their mental health. Mr Leader also reiterates time and again throughout the book: “What if it were your mother/father/sister/brother trying to access a service? How would you feel about how they are treated within the existing system? How would you like to see them treated?”

While the concepts advanced in It’s Not About Us are directed toward the public mental heath and addiction treatment community, many of the suggestions could be implemented in any system, public or private to further enable a satisfying client experience.

It’s Not About Us by Todd Leader
Cathydia Press

Editor Emeritus -- Website

James M. Fisher is the Founding Editor of The Miramichi Reader. He began TMR in 2015, realizing that there was a genuine need for more book reviews of Canadian literature. It has since become Canada’s best-regarded source for the finest in new literary releases. James has been interviewed about TMR on CBC Radio and other media sites. He works as a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technologist and lives in Miramichi, New Brunswick with his wife Diane, their tabby cat Eddie, and Buster the Red Merle Border Collie.