Bell Let's Talk Day

I sat straight up in my chair when I saw a commercial on TV last year featuring Clara Hughes. She is a 6-time medalist in both the summer and winter Olympic games.

She is shown briefly in my International Children's Day lens (within the Paul Brandt video 'Risk' - you can catch her speed skating and a short quote from her, click on the link within this lens).

Bravo Clara! The courage to partake in this cause REALLY moved me. Nice to know you are Canadian.

Intro photo source: FREDBOUAINE on flickr see here. / Licensed under Creative Commons

I too, have battled depression and I have suffered greatly within my career because I disclosed it. (My lens 'Not good enough - as is', speaks about this, click on the link provided). Sadly, the poll I featured within that lens, so far 50% of respondents voted YES to my question: 'Have you experienced unfair treatment because of your mental or emotional condition?'

For clarity, since I've read studies going back some 15 years, my findings revealed that 1 in 4 people will experience some form of mental illness within their lifetime. However, in these commercials (more updated research, I'm guessing) the Canadian Institute of Health Research estimates that 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a form of mental illness at some point in their lives.

Either way, between 20 - 25% of the people we all know will be or are suffering. Many are suffering in silence. It needs to end.

Why? Because untreated it can lead to death (by suicide) amongst a whole host of unfair stigmas, prejudices, job loss, discrimination and so on. It is truly something that is as real as a broken leg. It IS based in brain chemistry (the Mayo Clinic having done MRI's to show differences in brain chemistry). Some people are born genetically predisposed to it too, scientists are discovering. It is not a weakness, not something to be ashamed of, not something one can 'just snap out of' and NOT any form of self-pity. It is BEYOND someone's control, believe me, no one 'asks' for this condition. Personally, I would rather have something physically wrong with me than emotionally (because of the false assumptions and treatment that I have received from those uneducated about depression).

Lastly and most importantly, it is one of the most highly treatable conditions and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

This was created on January 27th, 2011. All rights reserved. Copyright 2011 sousababy
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