Bell "Let's Talk" Day - Mental Health Awareness

[peter12]

Originally Posted by HOOT

So if you budget something than it becomes free? Good to know. I have my car budgeted into my finances does that mean I didn't pay anything for it?

No, no. Bell is asking for free services from... never mind.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Just a reminder that if you think you might need some help but don't know where to turn- call 211.
http://211alberta.ca/calgary/

They will put you in touch with the services that you need.

To add to that, 211 is definitely a great place to ask about all the government funded services you could access.

For some people who feel like they might want to hear a human voice or just talk to somebody, the DistressCentre is available 24/7 on the phone and IMing in the evening.

----------------

Also I would certainly be more peeved at Bell about this being a cheap form of advertisement on their end but they've handled it well with putting the main issue of mental health awareness on the forefront.
So far I haven't seen a commercial with:

"Donate to Mental Health Awareness Initiatives with the new Blackberry Z10, only $139.99! Contact your nearest Bell dealer for details"

Which only leads me to approve the cause.

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by peter12

Probably. You'd have to document that this sort of public awareness campaign has any effect on mental health at all. My guess is that it doesn't, but hey, lots of free advertising for Bell.

Also, put me in the camp that believes mental health is not as super-serious as many people think.

I find it odd that people are going after the first paragraph and not the latter.

Just out of curiosity, and I am likely to regret asking, why do you not believe that mental health issues are not serious issues?

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

I find it odd that people are going after the first paragraph and not the latter.

I figured it wasn't worth addressing so just left it. Probably should have just stayed away from the whole message for the stupidity behind it.

[Cole436]

Originally Posted by peter12

Probably. You'd have to document that this sort of public awareness campaign has any effect on mental health at all. My guess is that it doesn't, but hey, lots of free advertising for Bell.

Also, put me in the camp that believes mental health is not as super-serious as many people think.

Then you're an ignorant fool. On both accounts.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by peter12

Probably. You'd have to document that this sort of public awareness campaign has any effect on mental health at all. My guess is that it doesn't, but hey, lots of free advertising for Bell.

Also, put me in the camp that believes mental health is not as super-serious as many people think.

You've got to be f'in kidding me. One of the major issues around mental health issues is that it is still seen to carry a stigma, and many people who need help don't ask for it because of it. A campaign that brings these issues to light is of incredible benefit.

Also, your last line confirms my long held beliefs about you.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Cole436

Than you're an ignorant fool. On both accounts.

At least he's a well dressed ignorant fool, or at least he claims to be.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Cole436

Then you're an ignorant fool. On both accounts.

I bet you felt pretty important writing that down. As a social issue, I fail to see how public awareness campaign for "mental health" will have a demonstrable impact on solving a problem. The reason is that I do not think there is as large a problem as the media, and most others make out of it.

I am almost entirely certain that a large portion of mental health issues are along the lines of depression, general anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder. All of these are easily treated by exercise, and social activities. In more extreme cases, cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven avenue for successful treatment. Only in the absolute extreme minority of cases should pharmaceutical intervention be necessary.

I think that most people just see their mental health as an outcrop of how unsatisfying their lives are, and instead of seeking adequate treatment, choose instead to label it as a disease. We are pathologizing a whole host of moods as disorders.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by valo403

You've got to be f'in kidding me. One of the major issues around mental health issues is that it is still seen to carry a stigma, and many people who need help don't ask for it because of it. A campaign that brings these issues to light is of incredible benefit.

Also, your last line confirms my long held beliefs about you.

Prove it. This just makes you feel good.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by peter12

Prove it. This just makes you feel good.

Oh you're right, health issues are much better left ignored. That always works out well.

http://www.who.int/mental_health/media/en/47.pdf

There's a link if you want to bother to educate yourself

[valo403]

Originally Posted by peter12

I bet you felt pretty important writing that down. As a social issue, I fail to see how public awareness campaign for "mental health" will have a demonstrable impact on solving a problem. The reason is that I do not think there is as large a problem as the media, and most others make out of it.

I am almost entirely certain that a large portion of mental health issues are along the lines of depression, general anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder. All of these are easily treated by exercise, and social activities. In more extreme cases, cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven avenue for successful treatment. Only in the absolute extreme minority of cases should pharmaceutical intervention be necessary.

I think that most people just see their mental health as an outcrop of how unsatisfying their lives are, and instead of seeking adequate treatment, choose instead to label it as a disease. We are pathologizing a whole host of moods as disorders.

Let's see some support for those claims

[peter12]

Originally Posted by valo403

Oh you're right, health issues are much better left ignored. That always works out well.

http://www.who.int/mental_health/media/en/47.pdf

There's a link if you want to bother to educate yourself

Did you read my post?

[Cole436]

Originally Posted by peter12

I bet you felt pretty important writing that down. As a social issue, I fail to see how public awareness campaign for "mental health" will have a demonstrable impact on solving a problem. The reason is that I do not think there is as large a problem as the media, and most others make out of it.

I am almost entirely certain that a large portion of mental health issues are along the lines of depression, general anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder. All of these are easily treated by exercise, and social activities. In more extreme cases, cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven avenue for successful treatment. Only in the absolute extreme minority of cases should pharmaceutical intervention be necessary.

I think that most people just see their mental health as an outcrop of how unsatisfying their lives are, and instead of seeking adequate treatment, choose instead to label it as a disease. We are pathologizing a whole host of moods as disorders.

As someone who has a) formal academic training in both areas you speak of, and b) intropersonal first hand experience, your amount of ignorance is astounding. From the "simple" treatment methods, to the laissez faire attitude you have to types of mental health, and the ignorance around social campaigns and lived experiences. You are sorely lacking in anything resembling an informed opinion.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by peter12

Did you read my post?

Which post? The one where you prove yourself to be an ignorant fool?

[ken0042]

How about we stop demonstrating our mental health issues and try to get along.

Ironically, by arguing about who is right or wrong, you are taking away from what this was meant to do.

I do applaud the people who have mentioned some of the issues they are facing, and how they are dealing with them. Let's try to keep this thread positive.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by peter12

I bet you felt pretty important writing that down. As a social issue, I fail to see how public awareness campaign for "mental health" will have a demonstrable impact on solving a problem. The reason is that I do not think there is as large a problem as the media, and most others make out of it.

I am almost entirely certain that a large portion of mental health issues are along the lines of depression, general anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder. All of these are easily treated by exercise, and social activities. In more extreme cases, cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven avenue for successful treatment. Only in the absolute extreme minority of cases should pharmaceutical intervention be necessary.

I think that most people just see their mental health as an outcrop of how unsatisfying their lives are, and instead of seeking adequate treatment, choose instead to label it as a disease. We are pathologizing a whole host of moods as disorders.

Mr Cruise they need you on set

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by peter12

I bet you felt pretty important writing that down. As a social issue, I fail to see how public awareness campaign for "mental health" will have a demonstrable impact on solving a problem. The reason is that I do not think there is as large a problem as the media, and most others make out of it.

I am almost entirely certain that a large portion of mental health issues are along the lines of depression, general anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder. All of these are easily treated by exercise, and social activities. In more extreme cases, cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven avenue for successful treatment. Only in the absolute extreme minority of cases should pharmaceutical intervention be necessary.

I think that most people just see their mental health as an outcrop of how unsatisfying their lives are, and instead of seeking adequate treatment, choose instead to label it as a disease. We are pathologizing a whole host of moods as disorders.

Seeing the bolded, I'm really having a hard time believe that you view mental illnesses to be as insignificant as they are. If exercise and social activities are truly that simple, why is it there are still an alarming rate of people who suffer from these 'typical' illnesses yet still go through all that you've mentioned? From trying to find the physical exercise, social interaction and even counselling, mental illnesses are not as easily solved as you think they should be. Mental illnesses in themselves can be a problem as well as being another layer to underlying problems which compounds each other into a dark cycle.

I hardly doubt that for a person who suffers from a form of mental illness, that if they were given a choice, would never ever choose to have that kind of illness in the first place.

The awareness campigns are necessary to get away from the attitudes and stigmas that degrade a person for something they would clearly want to be rid of. While you may feel that the mental illnesses are a copout for some people to simple treatments, the perspective these individuals go through are very much real to them and that is what we need to recognize as a fellow human.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

I find it odd that people are going after the first paragraph and not the latter.

Just out of curiosity, and I am likely to regret asking, why do you not believe that mental health issues are not serious issues?

I regret you asking it too. Gems like this:

a large portion of mental health issues are along the lines of depression, general anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder. All of these are easily treated by exercise, and social activities.

only prove that days like this to promote discussion are absolutely necessary. People like Peter12 are uneducated in this field to a dangerous degree. They don't understand that to a person suffering from depression, hearing somebody essentially tell them they are lazy can have devastating results. Even if your response to that is "but I'm not calling them lazy", please know that you are, and you're among the biggest parts of the problem.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by peter12

I bet you felt pretty important writing that down. As a social issue, I fail to see how public awareness campaign for "mental health" will have a demonstrable impact on solving a problem. The reason is that I do not think there is as large a problem as the media, and most others make out of it.

I am almost entirely certain that a large portion of mental health issues are along the lines of depression, general anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder. All of these are easily treated by exercise, and social activities. In more extreme cases, cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven avenue for successful treatment. Only in the absolute extreme minority of cases should pharmaceutical intervention be necessary.

I think that most people just see their mental health as an outcrop of how unsatisfying their lives are, and instead of seeking adequate treatment, choose instead to label it as a disease. We are pathologizing a whole host of moods as disorders.

You continue to bury yourself in your ignorance.

It's been mentioned above, but one of the bigger issues with mental illness is the stigma attached. Go back and read JD's post. His comments about his friend who committed suicide show the damage that ignorant louts like you perpetuate. It's hard enough trying to break free of these issues at the best of times - so much so that friends and family members are often left wondering how they missed the signs. When you are met with people trivializing or seeking to ignore it, it only makes it that much harder for someone suffering from depression and anxiety to start to break free of it.

People like you are why people commit suicide. Because people like you close off positive outlets for someone who is suffering. And anybody stupid enough to listen to you is going to be easy to convince that everyone thinks the way you do. People wont seek treatment because they are afraid to speak up.

And that, is why campaigns like this have value. Of course Bell budgeted for these donations, and of course they will be happy to add any business they get out of it. But the simple act of trying to make it okay to talk about mental illness is a critically important first step.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by ken0042

How about we stop demonstrating our mental health issues and try to get along.

Ironically, by arguing about who is right or wrong, you are taking away from what this was meant to do.

I do applaud the people who have mentioned some of the issues they are facing, and how they are dealing with them. Let's try to keep this thread positive.

Actually I think this is a perfect example of what this campaign can achieve, exposing the fact that people who act like mental health issues are insignificant and are something that you can pretty much beat by self medicating or toughing are just plain wrong. Those people cause others to hide their issues, feel ashamed of themselves and fall further into trouble. By making it known that mental health issues are real and nothing to be ashamed of it becomes easier for those people to take steps to real treatment, anyone who stands in the way of that deserves to be shouted down.