My name is Patience Emanuel. I’m a first-year UBC medical student conducting research under the supervision of Dr. Angela Towle and Cathy Kline. I’m excited to share my research project, which focuses on understanding the experiences of individuals discussing their mental illnesses in BC primary health care settings and the role general practitioners (GPs) and medical students can play in improving mental health care.
I chose this project because I’m interested in mental health. During my first year in medical school, I noticed that there is still a lot of stigma and discomfort associated with seeking help for mental illnesses. Integrating the voices of those living with mental illnesses is an integral part of training future health professionals and reducing the barriers patients experience.
In May and June, I interviewed eight individuals diagnosed with various mental illnesses from rural and urban areas within BC to gather their experiences.
