Jan. 28th - "Let's Talk" Mental Health Awareness

[rubecube]

http://letstalk.bell.ca/en/

I find it admirable that Bell runs this campaign every year and would like to see more discussion generated surrounding mental health issues. As someone who has battled mental illness for most of my life and has family members who do so as well, I believe this is one of those issues that needs as much awareness as possible.

Anyways, maybe this can be a thread where people can share their experiences and those who don't know a lot about mental illness can ask questions and not be ridiculed or accused of being ignorant for doing so.

The one thing I'd like to add is, if you know someone who is struggling or you suspect is struggling with something like depression, don't assume that leaving them alone is what they want. Even simply asking someone how they're doing or if they want to talk can mean worlds to someone who's floating in the abyss.

[undercoverbrother]

Thanks.

There was a time in my life when I felt people that were Mentally Ill were just weak or lazy. Life experience has changed my mind. Mental Illness is as real as diabetes, and the sooner the stigma of of being mentally ill is removed the better.

As an aside the wife of a close friend has just let people know she suffer from serious mental illness.

[rubecube]

^^ To your point, if physical diseases were treated like mental illness:

[troutman]

As a former divorce lawyer, I saw how common mental illness is, and that it is a big factor in many relationships. The problem is too many people are undiagnosed, probably because of the stigma attached to seeking help for mental illness. It should be viewed the same as physical disorders.

[Dion]

[Dion]

nm

[Joborule]

Really good work by Bell in driving the campaign, and attempting to make mental health a more open subject; removing the stigma. I know looking back (and even today) that I wish I was more open to those around me for what was going on inside my mind, my life, but felt it would make me appear weak, and increase the distance, making me feel more of an outcast.

[KelVarnsen]

While I try to get my thoughts about my own depression into words, I thank rubecube for starting this thread and Bell for its wonderful campaign.

[fundmark19]

As someone who has seen the strongest person in my life be hospitalized with psychotic depression I have a new found respect for mental illness. It has been 3 years that my father has been battling and at times I thought he would never be able to leave the hospital again. Now seeing him interact with my daughter and seeing the genuine joy in his face that she brings him makes me thankful about the support he has received from Alberta Health but I know with more awareness there will be more post treatment options to help him and others continue to cope with the disease after they leave the hospital.

[calgarywinning]

It's a hard thing that is silent and deadly to all relationships. Sometimes the hardest part is the people that love the person but are subject to their own feelings and take the interactions to heart.

[Anduril]

Just going to leave this here for people who may want it for themselves or people they know.

http://www.distresscentre.com
Talking to somebody doesn't make you weak. Sometimes trying to share something that personal with people who are close is tough. Reaching out to an anonymous human being can be one of the many things you could do to help yourself.

[Devils'Advocate]

I wish there was some way of telling who is sponsoring this....


It does look like they are concentrating on depression this year. Last year it seemed more all-inclusive.

As much as we are talking about the stigma of mental illness, we should be talking about access to help. I was shocked at the cost of professional help. I was told that for my disorder, I would very much benefit from continued help from a psychiatrist, but it just isn't something I can afford right now. Actually, the doctor at the Ottawa Hospital specializing in my disorder put it bluntly: "I suggest you drop your personal trainer and see a psychiatrist. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health."

And the cost of help is bankrupting parents with children with mental health issues. There just isn't enough funding:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/childre...care-1.1656699

[rubecube]

Yeah, it's pretty embarrassing the lack of support mental illness gets compared to physical illness. Often the government won't subsidize any treatment unless the person has already harmed themselves. I just don't get this line of thinking. Not being proactive with mental health ends up costing taxpayers way more down the line.

[Daradon]

Yeah, this is something that Canada is really doing right. I know it's only been something really getting any air time over the last five years or so, but that's still a lot better than a lot of other progressive nations (Like Norway, Sweden, etc.) that are usually ahead of us in health matters and prejudicial matters. We are just starting, and there is a long way to go, but we are on the right track, and socially ahead of the curve when looking at how other countries deal with it. So there's reason for optimism.

It's hell for the people going through it, and knowing that you don't have to feel embarrassed for it really helps a lot. As well, it's tough on the families, they often don't know how to help and die inside watching their loved ones going through pain not knowing exactly what it is.

Of course, even those closest to the person suffering can be critical, but 9 times out of 10 it's not because they don't care, or are sick of the persons behaviour, but just because they are at a loss in how to help. Talking about it helps the family too in both understanding the problem and that they aren't alone, and in educating them on reactions they might be having, that are making the situation worse.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

I wish there was some way of telling who is sponsoring this....
It does look like they are concentrating on depression this year. Last year it seemed more all-inclusive.

As much as we are talking about the stigma of mental illness, we should be talking about access to help. I was shocked at the cost of professional help. I was told that for my disorder, I would very much benefit from continued help from a psychiatrist, but it just isn't something I can afford right now. Actually, the doctor at the Ottawa Hospital specializing in my disorder put it bluntly: "I suggest you drop your personal trainer and see a psychiatrist. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health."

And the cost of help is bankrupting parents with children with mental health issues. There just isn't enough funding:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/childre...care-1.1656699

Well, I believe that free psychiatrists are offered as part of the health care system (at least I know they used to be) it's just that there are so few that it takes a long time to get in to see them. Kinda like trying to get an MRI in this city. Also, you gotta go through the whole exercise of getting a referral, etc. But once you have one, you can generally make appointments when you need them.

So yeah, having money always helps. But, it's not impossible.

As well, the South Calgary Health Clinic in Sundance there offers free emergency sessions if you feel you're on the edge, danger to yourself or others. I don't know if they are psychiatrists or just psychologists, but they are very good and very helpful. I want to say that there is a licensed psychiatrist there because the first time I went I talked to two people, but they asked if I minded being watched from behind a two way mirror as well so they could get extra opinions. I told them that was fine.

Heh, maybe I shouldn't have put that last part there, don't wanna freak anyone out who might be thinking about using their services. I have used them maybe four times over the last eight years (the first time being the big emergency time) and I can say they are wonderful people and there is nothing scary or embarrassing about the process or situation.

[rubecube]

So I guess it's semi-ironic that I've been up all night with insomnia, which is a symptom of both my depression and my ADHD. Wonderful. I'm supposed to have class and volunteer hours today and I highly doubt my body will be up for either of those things.

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by Daradon

Well, I believe that free psychiatrists are offered as part of the health care system (at least I know they used to be) it's just that there are so few that it takes a long time to get in to see them. Kinda like trying to get an MRI in this city. Also, you gotta go through the whole exercise of getting a referral, etc. But once you have one, you can generally make appointments when you need them.

Yep.

In December 2012 I noticed an ad on Kijiji where the Ottawa Hospital was doing a study. I volunteered for the study and after the assessment interview, she said I was not a good candidate, but she really, really recommended seeing a psychiatrist. So she sent my file to my family doctor, who immediately put the referal in. But my family doctor said I should see someone right away and recommended a private practice. So I took his recommendation and went through everything my insurance would cover and then some. Eventually it got too expensive and I had to stop going sometime in April. I then got a call in October, ten months after the referal, asking me to come in for an assessment. After 3 to 4 hours of filling out questionnaires and answering questions from the Phd student, I got 30 minutes with the head of the department. He said that my condition was "serious, but not serious enough to be admitted into their program" and he strongly recommended that I go back to private practice. I haven't gone back.. too expensive.

So, yes, if the problem is serious enough, there are programs covered under our provincial health care systems. But it takes a long time. I remember saying to a family member I hope that those that suffer from depression get treated faster than ten months!

[Daradon]

Yeah, and it's not ideal, that's for sure. But that's why I posted the emergency options below that. The first time I walked in without so much as a call ahead and was seen in about 45 minutes. And mostly cause I was brand new and had to fill out a form (though there was one woman ahead of me). The times I went back after that I was seen very quickly.

[The Goon]

I think this is a good initiative, but I think Bell's name on it might hinder discussion, as in, Rogers media outlets won't mention it at all. For example, I was surprised/not surprised that it wasn't mentioned on 660 News this morning.

This seems too important to be a corporate-led initiative, but I can't think of any better solutions.

[Puppet Guy]

I've been diagnosed with depression since 2000 (I'm pretty sure that it's been there my whole life), and right afterwards I decided that I would be open about it - to others and to myself. One of the first things I noticed was admitting it was a factor for me would lead others who had it to bring it out in the open when they ordinarily wouldn't (I've lost track of the amount of times I'd be told "I'm on meds too, but I've never told anyone" or something similar). If having a mega-corp like Bell putting their clout behind an initiative gets people to be open about their stuggle, I'm all for it.