Read on Twitter
— big thread incoming for #BellLetsTalk 
day —
(cw: discussion of depression, anxiety, suicide)
I used to dread this day. I’d avoid Facebook and Twitter for the days leading up to it, and for days afterwards.
Every year it was just too much.
1/
day — (cw: discussion of depression, anxiety, suicide)
I used to dread this day. I’d avoid Facebook and Twitter for the days leading up to it, and for days afterwards.
Every year it was just too much.
1/
I have depression and anxiety. I’ve been officially diagnosed for a few years now, but I had been suffering for years before that.
I avoided getting help. Partially because I didn’t know how to talk about it, partially because I didn’t know who to talk about it with.
2/
I avoided getting help. Partially because I didn’t know how to talk about it, partially because I didn’t know who to talk about it with.
2/
It’s hard.
And it’s still hard, but every day it gets a bit easier.
I’m really really lucky to have an extremely strong support system. I have loads of family and close friends that I know I can always reach out to.
3/
And it’s still hard, but every day it gets a bit easier.
I’m really really lucky to have an extremely strong support system. I have loads of family and close friends that I know I can always reach out to.
3/
But even then, even knowing that there were folks who were always there for me, it was such a terrifying leap of faith to even acknowledge that I wasn’t doing okay.
(and it’s still a leap of faith to post this)
4/
(and it’s still a leap of faith to post this)
4/
But I did eventually text a loved one
(I couldn’t even bring myself to say it out loud)
& slowly but surely I’ve been getting the help I need.
I have depression. I have anxiety. I take medication to help treat my depression and anxiety. It helps me a lot. I’m doing better.
5/
(I couldn’t even bring myself to say it out loud)
& slowly but surely I’ve been getting the help I need.
I have depression. I have anxiety. I take medication to help treat my depression and anxiety. It helps me a lot. I’m doing better.
5/
I hope that by talking about these things publicly might make it easier for someone else to take that leap of faith and reach out for the help they need.
Because we have to address the stigma around mental health issues...
ALL mental health issues.
6/
Because we have to address the stigma around mental health issues...
ALL mental health issues.
6/
We need to reduce the stigma not just for depression and anxiety, but for schizophrenia, and addictions, and for bipolar disorder, and every other diagnosis that might not have that same level of acceptance.
7/
7/
In Lake Melville, the rates of suicide are 1.4x higher than in Newfoundland.
In the Innu communities of Sheshatshiu & Natuashish, that number skyrockets to 14x the rates in Newfoundland.
And in Nunatsiavut specifically it soars again to 20x higher.
(see @njpollock’s research)
In the Innu communities of Sheshatshiu & Natuashish, that number skyrockets to 14x the rates in Newfoundland.
And in Nunatsiavut specifically it soars again to 20x higher.
(see @njpollock’s research)
Our people are dying.
Our loved ones, our friends, our community members are dying.
The situation is dire and we need stronger supports for mental health in our region.
9/
Our loved ones, our friends, our community members are dying.
The situation is dire and we need stronger supports for mental health in our region.
9/
Of course that means we need greater access to mental health professionals, counselling, physicians, and that level of clinical support.
But we need to ensure that those supports are culturally appropriate and relevant to our unique communities.
10/
But we need to ensure that those supports are culturally appropriate and relevant to our unique communities.
10/
And we also need to address the other important facets of life that are critical to mental health.
Housing is a mental health issue. Income is a mental health issue. Food security is a mental health issue. Access to culture is a mental health issue.
11/
Housing is a mental health issue. Income is a mental health issue. Food security is a mental health issue. Access to culture is a mental health issue.
11/
When we support our communities, in all ways from cultural to financial to educational and beyond, we become stronger and more resilient.
When our needs are met, when our bellies are full, we don’t have to worry about the roof over our heads, our mental health is better.
12/
When our needs are met, when our bellies are full, we don’t have to worry about the roof over our heads, our mental health is better.
12/
I know how heavy today, and every day, can be. Please know that you’re not alone.
Below is a list of resources in our communities, and other help lines.
Take care of yourself, and show kindness and empathy to all those you come across.
Be well.
13/13 #BellLetsTalk
Below is a list of resources in our communities, and other help lines.
Take care of yourself, and show kindness and empathy to all those you come across.
Be well.
13/13 #BellLetsTalk
Oh! I forgot to say: take care of your own mental health, but don’t forget to advocate for change in your communities!
By fighting for a new system, for improvements, access, we can make sure everyone is healthy and happy.
Activism as community care
14/14 #BellLetsTalk
By fighting for a new system, for improvements, access, we can make sure everyone is healthy and happy.
Activism as community care
14/14 #BellLetsTalk
