CASE STUDY 1: ABI

Profile

Background

Abi is the middle child, with an older brother and younger sister. The family immigrated from Sri Lanka to Canada during the war.

Family and Systemic Violence Witnessed/Experienced

The violence in Abi’s family began when her family immigrated to Canada from Sri Lanka. Prior to immigrating to Canada, her father’s mental health was relatively stable. It declined upon arriving in Canada as he experienced an insurmountable amount of stress, which contributed to the onset of his schizophrenia. He refused long-term institutionalization, but at one time, he was forced to undergo treatment in an institution for approximately a month.

During psychotic episodes, Abi’s father expressed his fear through violence towards her mother. Abi and her siblings witnessed her father being physically violent toward their mother when they were growing up. Abi recalls that the violence was often unprovoked and often stemmed from her father’s struggle with mental illness or poor communication between her parents. Abi remembers her mother being angry that her father was not fulfilling his responsibilities as either a partner or parent.

Abi’s mother struggled to manage the home with her employment income and social assistance. Due to scarce financial resources, Abi’s mother could not fulfill Abi’s wishes for shoes or earphones. Abi resented her mother and thought her mother did not love her as she was the second child and hence did not buy her shoes and earphones. This misunderstanding continued for a long time and hampered Abi’s relationship with her mother.

Family violence was more rampant when Abi was between 13 and 16 years old. While Abi’s mother was predominately the target of physical abuse, Abi and her brother were also targeted. As Abi and her siblings grew older, they would insert themselves into their parent’s altercations, attempting to break up the physical violence. Abi’s brother would also take his anger out on her. He quickly lost his temper, often reacting violently over minor things. In Abi’s opinion, their mother rarely intervened as she was too busy.

Based on the strained relationships with her mother and siblings, at the age of 18, Abi decided to move out and live independently. Soon after moving out, Abi had her first attack of Schizophrenia, and hence could not live independently. Because of tensions with her mother, Abi did not return home but lived with her cousin for about a year. Unfortunately, Abi had to return home after her cousin died of cancer, and since that time, her relationship with her mother has improved to the point where they occasionally speak.

The violence has continued over the years. Abi’s parents remain married. Her younger sister left home in the fall of 2020 to attend university. Abi and her brother still reside with their mother and father. Abi is currently on medication for her schizophrenia. She is trying to complete her education. Even after several attempts to get a job, Abi is still unemployed. Abi is mending relationships with her family, notably her mother and brother. Abi’s younger sister provides her with emotional support. Their relationship now is non-violent, and they remain close.

Experiences while Accessing Supports

Abi’s family lacked support from the healthcare system. Despite being institutionalized numerous times, her father, to date, has not received adequate mental health treatment. Abi’s father also experienced a language barrier within the healthcare system, as translators were not provided. The family relied on Abi and her younger sister to translate during medical appointments.

Abi has also experienced challenges within the Tamil community because people with low economic status, which her family is, are not respected. Abi’s cousins have had various opportunities arising from being a part of the Tamil community that have contributed to their success, while she has not, and she attributes this to her family’s economic status.

Impacts of Family and Systemic Violence

Witnessing her father’s physical abuse and enduring abuse from her brother was particularly challenging for Abi between the ages of 13 and 16. She became defensive and not only blocked out her emotions but was also physically abusive to other members of the household, including her younger sister. Abi had her first psychotic episode at the age of 18, which resulted in a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Abi’s relationship with her family members was affected significantly by FV. Abi has a “distant” relationship with her father, although she has always had a positive view of him and loves him. As a child, she did not understand that he was not fulfilling his parental duties but had good memories of being at the park with him. She now understands that he was not there for them as a parent because of his struggles with mental health.

Growing up, Abi blamed her mother for her father’s physical absence, the tension in the household, and financial constraints. Now, Abi understands that her mother could not fulfill her childhood demands of shoes and earphones as she did not have the means to fulfil Abi’s needs.

Abi’s mental health challenges have impacted her academic life. She enrolled in an undergraduate program ten years ago, which she is currently trying to complete. Her low self-esteem and anxiety have contributed to several leaves of absence in the ten years. Though she finds it difficult to succeed in the program, she has not given up. She is currently taking medication and counselling for her mental health challenges. A feeling of inferiority as a racialized individual has affected Abi’s employment prospects.

Until the age of 20, Abi was close with her oldest cousin (who died of cancer) and a few friends. Since the onset of her schizophrenia ten years ago, Abi has not made any new friends.