No one is immune to depression
In recent years, there has been increased focus on mental health. We have Bell’s Let’s Talk Day on Jan. 31 and Eating Disorders Awareness Week in the first week of February. Mental Health WeekisMay7to13andMental Illness Awareness Week is in October.
If you are on Facebook, you will no doubt been asked by at least one of your friends to show you care by re-posting a link about depression and mental health.
But despite some progress, there is still a stigma attached to mental illness. It is easy to tell people that you have a heart condition or cancer or almost any physical disease, because you will get sympathy and not feel judged. It is not so easy to admit that you have a mental health problem.
As a fundraiser, I know how much more difficult it is to raise funds for the Psychiatry Department at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, or for our Eating Disorders Program, than it is to garner support for hematologyoncology or cardiology.
Yet, our emotional and psychological health is as important, if not more important, than our physical health.
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, mental health problems affect one in five Canadians each year and by age 40, half of the population will have experienced a mental illness. Approximately eight per cent of adults will have a major depression at some time in their lives and one per cent will experience bipolar disorder. Anxiety disorders affect five per cent of households and suicide is one of the leading causes of death. I have a feeling that the real figures for depression and anxiety are even higher.
As a mother who lost her child, I know a fair bit about depression and suicidal thoughts. No one is immune, just like no one can say for sure they will not get cancer or ever be in an accident.
Recently, after my partner did the physical and emotional equivalent of going to the store for cigarettes and not coming back, I was flung once again into a confusing and painful dark place.
After over a month of exhibiting many of the symptoms of a depression such as loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, and feeling hopeless, I did some of the things you are supposed to do. I saw my doctor and started taking some medication. I am getting together with family and friends, and am trying to make healthy food choices. I joined Cielo and discovered a love of yoga. I also joined Monster Gym and found that there is something about working out with people, rather than on your own, that is tremendously healing.
I am not ashamed to say I suffered depression. I am fortunate to have understanding people around me and, in the end, I will be stronger and wiser for my experience. But I worry about those who are suffering and do not ask for help. If you have the chance, lend them a hand.