Depression: an issue we can’t ignore

Everyone has their dark days, but what if those days became your entire life?

 

Getting out of bed seems monumental. Getting dressed and leaving for work feels impossible. You feel hopeless, despondent and nothing excites you anymore. You may suffer from depression.

 

Depression is a medical condition where a person’s mood is so low for such a long period of time that they cannot function normally. Sufferers become isolated, despondent and in extreme cases completely shut down.

 

“They stop functioning, that would be the red flag for depression,” explains Robert Goulard, a psychotherapist who specializes in depression. “They can’t take action. And that’s a sign of mental illness.

 

“To take any action or be in with people is overwhelming to them. They can’t do it.”

 

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, one in ten Canadians suffer from depression. They also say  80% of cases can be treated but one of the insidious aspects of depression is that it makes the person feel like there’s no hope, and they don’t reach out. If depression goes untreated it can lead to obesity, loss of productivity or employment, strained relationships with loved ones, and something even worse.

 

“Worst case scenario,?” asks Goulard. “Suicide. It’s sad but it happens.”

 

According to Goulard there are many ways to fight depression: proper diet, exercise and medication to name a few. One of the most important ways is through social interaction. Something as simple as going out with friends or family regularly is often enough to help lift the fog.

 

Katherine Owens has a unique way of socializing. Owens has suffered from depression her whole life and became more and more isolated in her Columbus, Ohio apartment. A lifelong video game fan, Owens signed up to a website called Twitch, a live-streaming site where users play games in front of an interactive audience.

 

Owens currently has over 2000 followers who watch her play video games and chat on a daily basis. For her it’s not as much the games themselves but chatting with her fans that lifts her spirits.

 

“It’s definitely the interaction from people from everywhere in the world,” said Owens.

 

Owens is not one to suffer alone. She uses her gaming channel to talk openly about depression, how it affects her and to let people know they are not alone.

 

“Definitely one of my biggest goals about streaming is just to make people aware that this is normal,” explains Owens.

 

In Windsor, another man wants to spread the word that depression effects everyone and nobody has to suffer alone. Jamie Greer started the hashtag #IamAFaceofMentalIllness on Twitter which swept social media faster than he expected.

 

“It was something I was hoping would catch on,” said Greer. “I didn’t expect it to catch on as quickly as it did but I suppose that’s the power of social media.”

 

The hashtag was shared hundreds of times along with Bell Communications’ hashtag #BellLetsTalk, both aiming to shed a light on mental illness.

 

According to Greer, putting mental illness in the public eye and breaking the negative stigma is crucial to helping people break out of depression and other afflictions.

 

“It’s a very deeply personal thing because of the stigma that does surround it,” said Greer.  “A lot of people are still afraid to come out so to speak and admit they suffer from it.”

 

Depression is a common mental illness that can have fatal consequences. The good news it it’s very treatable both with and without medication. Those suffering from depression in Canada can call the Ontario Mental Health Helpline at 1-866-531-2600 or see their doctor for help.