I would like to take today’s “What’s On My Mind” moment to address an issue that has a special place I my heart. An issue that is more common that we would like think but and issue unfortunately that seems to be largely ignored.
Today January 31st is Bell “Let’s Talk” day in Canada. It is a day dedicated to mental health awareness. A day meant to make the talk all that much easier. A day which if it makes only one person’s mind more open and understanding is definitely worth it. One person can make the difference. That one person changing their view on mental illness can have a miraculous effect on someone around him. It can in fact save a life!
Mental illness is not a “He’s just being lazy “issue. It’s not a simple matter of “Suck it up buttercup”. The eyes are indeed the window to the soul and if you look. I mean, if you really look, you’ll see the pain in their eyes.
Many people suffer in silence because they are ashamed or they have been shamed! Mental illness takes on many forms but it can be treated. There is no shame in it and we should work hard to remove the stigma associated with it. Just like any physical ailment out there, there is help.
If it’s one thing I’ve learned, some of the most “happiest” people suffer from mental illness. They always seem to be the ones that have it together. That is until, they don’t!
If you are in pain I urge you to seek help. There is help out there. Life can be beautiful. YOU ARE SOMEONE SPECIAL!!! YOU DESERVE TO BE HERE!!! YOU MATTER!!!
Know that there is only so much someone can do to help you. You are ultimately responsible for your life and you can make that first step towards getting help. Even though you may feel it, you are not alone. Help may come from someone you least expect. Talk to someone!
Do you know someone out there who suffers from anxiety or depression? Why not talk to them. Ask them questions. Unless you’ve been through it, don’t say you understand because you don’t. It’s not just having a bad day. You don’t wake up on day and you suddenly have anxiety and depression. The people who suffer have been suffering for months, even years.
As we focus on those dealing with mental illness, we forget the friends and families of those who hurt.
As agonizing as the illness may be for your loved one, watching them suffer is painful for the person who watches it. This pain is made all the more unbearable knowing that they cannot fix it. As they suffer so do the caretaker! Yes it is a different type of pain but it is pain nonetheless.
Like any caretaker, dealing with a sick family or friend this can be overwhelming. It leads to frustration and anger at oneself, even at the individual. This is all perfectly normal. We are only human after all, give yourself some slack.
Just as they need help, so do you. This is emotionally and physically draining but there is help out there for family members dealing with this.
Today of Bell-Let’s Talk Day, for every #let’stalk Bell will donate 5cents to the cause. May not sound like much but millions have been raised. So why not use your social media to support a great cause by doing what you are doing any way. Show your support for that family member, that friend, that co-worker even the person that you don’t know. He may be looking right at you.
Madame Joy – LET’S TALK
Daily Advise: Sometimes we just have to get out of our own way. #letstalk