Let’s talk about mental health

Millennials and Gen Z are leading conversations about mental health. Sue-Ann Crockett, who’s living with clinical depression and general anxiety disorder (GAD), adds her voice to the convo.

Because you can’t always control your emotions

wHen were you DiAGnoSeD?

I terminated a pregnancy in 1999 and, at the time, I wasn’t allowed to talk about it or process the feelings associated with having made such a harrowing choice. I wasn’t offered post-operative therapy or counselling and, as a result, I bottled it all up. After I miscarried in 2003, I suffered a mental breakdown. I felt immensely guilty and believed I was being punished for a decision I’d made in the past, which I honestly feel saved my life, in the long run, as the father of the baby was emotionally and physically abusive. I was sent for counselling, diagnosed with clinical depression and put onto antidepressants. I had another nervous breakdown at work last year. I was aware that my depression was back, but suspected that I’d also developed an anxiety disorder. After the breakdown, I sought help and was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder (GAD). I was prescribed anti-anxiety meds and also decided to go back onto anti-depressants, which quite honestly saved my life.

wHo wAS tHe firSt perSon you tolD AnD How eASy or DiffiCult wAS it to open up?

I pretty much told everyone from the get-go that I was undergoing therapy and had been given antidepressants – the fact I was suddenly acting normal again was a giveaway, anyway. If anyone asked why, my rote response was that it had been triggered by my miscarriage. I never talked about the termination. It took me years to finally make peace with it all, but now I talk about it openly because I feel women should be allowed to make their own decisions about their body and their health. The stigma surrounding this issue is literally killing people, so I won’t be silent about it. I’ll be a voice for those who’re too broken or too scared. With the recent return of my depression and an additional diagnosis of GAD, I’ve been even more vocal about it.

How DiD you DeAl witH tHe StiGMA ArounD MentAl illneSS?

I’ve seen many of my friends and co-workers suffer because of misinformation and stigma, so I do everything in my power to help them find the strength to overcome the stigma and gain back their power of self. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about; it’s just like any other physiological illness, only this one just happens to involve our brain.

How iMportAnt Are wellneSS SeSSionS in tHe workplACe?

Very important. I know of a few companies that offer therapy to staff and their partners, free of charge, and this works in incredible ways. Your staff may be perfectly fine, but if they’re dealing with a partner who’s suffering, they’ll be negatively affected, and this can influence their performance.

in tHe Context of A relAtionSHip, Do you HAve to be CoMpletely trAnSpArent witH your pArtner?

Absolutely. Your partner needs to understand what you’re going through, so they can support you on the bad days. My husband’s 100% supportive of my journey. He actively encouraged me to get help when I was spiralling back down into full-blown depression. He may not always understand why I do and say the things I do, but he understands that I don’t always have control over my emotions. The ugly side of depression is when sufferers lash out at those closest to them. Their partner often takes a bit of an emotional beating, which can be damaging if they don’t know why it’s happening. ➻

“I’LL BE A VOICE FOR THOSE WHO’RE BROKEN”