Let's Talk!

Since I work in a mental health centre, it’s kind of obvious that I’m going to write about Mental Health Awareness week and Let’s Talk Day. What I’m not going to do, though, is get all serious on you.

Look, everyone knows that mental health issues are pretty intense. But making it all dark and sad and serious doesn’t make anyone want to talk about it. 1 in 3 (depending on who you ask – could be 1 in 4 or 5, too) people suffer from a mental illness. Dudes. That’s a LOT of people. Why the hell can’t we just be all “yep, I have a mental health issue. Oh, you too, eh? Sucks. Let’s chat about it over a drink” (unless you have an addiction issue, too, in which case I wouldn’t recommend alcohol)?

So I’m pretty sure it’s not a secret to anyone that reads this blog that I suffered from depression for, like, 4 years. It was all through University, basically. It sucked the big one, but I got help for it and I came out on the other side. I’m happy now, and I have a great life and great relationships. My relationships got me through - my Momma was there for me through it all, trying to figure out how to help me when I was in England and falling apart, and I can't imagine how that must have scared her. My Dad put up with a LOT of moodiness and irritability that was really unwarranted, and he jokes now that he didn't know which daughter he was going to get each day (even each minute). My poor parents!

Okay, mushiness done. I had to mention them, though. Anyway, I still have tough days, but that goes with the territory (who doesn’t have tough days?). But when I talk about it now, which I have to do a lot for work because that’s my job (legit), I use humour. Because in my experience, people are more at ease when you make things a bit lighter. It doesn’t have to be a sob fest (and I don’t want it to be. Crying people make me really uncomfortable). I can be open and honest and still light hearted. Hell, laughter makes everything better (it's scientifically proven!).

Depression is probably the most common mental health issue. So many people suffer either from depression or a form of depression called dysthymia (I learn soo many big words at my job. Google magic it!). It’s ok to talk about it, you know. Like, sometimes when I meet people that are on the same meds as I am, I high five them. It’s like finding out you have the same birthday or something. Twinsies!

It’s ok to say that you need help with the stuff you’re going through, or that you’re scared. (And yes, for all you buttheads who may scoff at it being “scary” – when you feel like life isn’t worth living anymore, it can be a wee bit frightening). You can’t fix yourself, you know. Meds aren’t a sign of weakness. They’re a sign that you care enough about yourself to actually get better (yay, meds!). If you had an infection, I'm pretty sure most of us wouldn't keep quiet and will it to go away - we'd get an antibiotic. It's the same thing with a mental health issue! That's how we need to see it, everyone. Just saying.

I don’t know what I hope to do with this post – I’m pretty sure I haven’t said anything of much consequence. I guess all I want to do is reach out to those who might be suffering and urge you to get help as soon as possible.

Let’s Talk about it, people. Mental health has got to be normalized, because when it becomes normal, more people will get help, and less people will get to the point where they have to be admitted to a facility. I am sooo available to anyone that wants to chat with me about it! I really hope that anyone who reads this that might be having a hard time really does know that I’m here to talk to. Serious! Email me.

Love,

Bella