Mental health awareness, as a movement, has gained a lot of momentum over the last couple of years. In Canada, it’s had a huge boost in part by Bell contributing monetary donations to mental health research with every text sent on Bell’s
Mental health awareness, as a movement, has gained a lot of momentum over the last couple of years. In Canada, it’s had a huge boost in part by Bell contributing monetary donations to mental health research with every text sent on Bell’s “Let’s Talk Day”, and daily talk shows or newspapers making the effort to have a mental health awareness show or issue. But what, really, has World Mental Health Day, which this year falls on Thursday, October 10, accomplished? The fact that it has been around since 1992 will surprise most of us. I am not trying to be pessimistic, but rather to get us to consider that maybe there is still more that can be done in the name of awareness. We celebrate a day once a year and feel good about ourselves when we don’t judge those that go through something that we don’t understand. But for the rest of the year, our attitudes and true thoughts towards those that suffer from depression or bi-polar disorder can – and needs – to change.
As someone who has a couple of close family members affected by mental health illnesses, I suppose I am more sensitive towards people making snarky comments about this issue than most. But even this last week I have noticed from my peers and colleagues a lack of consideration, or awareness, towards people who say they are depressed, ill, or have just been suffering and sad for a long time.
Where we have come a long way over the past few years is in regards to the fact that these disorders are now considered by most people as real, disruptive things that are hard to deal with. But where we fall short is our failure to acknowledge or admit that they are far more prevalent than we realize. It is not just the person on TV that speaks out about it like Clara Hughes or Metta World Peace. It’s not just our “mom’s friend’s sister” that has really had a hard life. It can be your neighbour, your brother, your 