Wed Oct. 05 2011 11:35:17 AM |Various contributors, cp24.com
Let's talk: Stories on the fight for mental health
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Canadian Olympic athlete Clara Hughes speaks during an announcement in Ottawa on Tuesday Sept. 21, 2010. Hughes was featured in Bell's Let's Talk Day campaign. Bell is donating $3.3 million to mental health initiatives. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)
One in five people suffer from a mental health disorder which means that everyone likely knows someone who is suffering from this disease. In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week, speak out and share your stories. Together we can end the stigma. If you have something to share, send your stories toNow@CP24.com. We'll keep this up all week.
Fight for your happiness
I never saw my depression as something I should be embarrassed about or ashamed about and was never shy about it. Not for one second. So when people ask me how others have reacted to the news that I suffer from depression, I say that I don't care what people say. This is who I am and it's something I have to live with, just like we all have something to live with.
There are some people who want to minimize this and say 'hey Landsberg is weak,' but you know what? I'm okay with that too.
Depression is a tough thing to say and it's almost impossible for people to say I suffer from mental illness.
When you believe that you don't have the freedom to come out and share, that sends a signal to yourself that you have something to be ashamed about, that you should be embarrassed. It's absurd but that's what we're fighting.
How does this damage people? How is our society worse off because there's a stigma? I have an easy answer for that. I've begun corresponding with people via email and have received maybe a thousand emails from people who say they've been miserable for so long, and have had no quality of life for so long. Sometimes people add, I've considered taking my life for so long. Yet, even with all of that pain, they say they can't tell anyone because they're afraid their wife will see them as weak or their employer will see them as weak and won't give them a promotion. They're worried about how the world will see them.
If we can get over the stigma, people can understand that it's like any other illness. It's not a weakness, it's not a personal flaw, it's not a demon, though it can act like a demon. It's simply an illness. And from that point, people can go for help and we can see a difference.
You can help people strictly by talking about it. All of a sudden there are a handful of people who hear people talk and say, that didn't sound so bad, maybe I have the guts to share my story too. I'm talking to you at home who never wanted to share the story about your depression because you're embarrassed. If you share it with just one person, it will change your life.
If you suffer, share your suffering with someone else and that gets you the help you need. Share with your doctor and understand that this is a fight. Fight for your happiness.
Michael Landsberg, Host, Off the Record
My father's battle
My own father suffered most of his life with mental illness.
Very few understood him. The people, professionals, friends, and doctors who did knew he was a genius and a kind, loving man. But his disability made experiencing a full life quite difficult.
Mental illness is still such an incredible stigma. The thing is, I'm sure YOU are close to someone, or at the very least know someone, who also battles inner demons.
As a society, we need to address this and get to people when they are YOUNG to teach them methods to manage their mental condition or disease.
Fact: One in five Ontario youth struggles with mental health issues
Fact: Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 10-24 year olds
Fact: For half of Canadians affected by depression, symptoms start before age 20
Fact: The average age for onset of anxiety disorders among Canadians is 12
Fact: The stigma surrounding mental illness keeps many people from seeking help
This issue is very close to my heart since mental health affects various people in my family including my late father. Most of us know someone with mental health issues and yet it remains taboo to discuss it and address it. The need for adolescent psychiatry is particularly important and continues to grow. Our children and teens are suffering from depression, suicide, eating disorders, and drug abuse more than ever.
Let's talk, let's donate and let's together make a difference.
Bryce Wylde, Host, Wylde on Health
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