This week Bell Canada is having its campaign to help end
stigma around mental illness. With every phone call, text message sent, and
tweet using #BellLetsTalk on January 28th, Bell
Canada will donate 5 cents to a mental health intuitive. http://letstalk.bell.ca/en/ . They have
some great Canadians as spokespersons, Michael Landsburg, Howie Mandel, Mary
Walsh and Clara Hughes.
Each and every one of these people are very successful in
their chosen field, and it does my heart good to see they are standing up,
sharing their own, very personal stories, and helping to end the stigma on
mental illness.
Will I ever meet these people, probably not, but I do have
something in common with them. I also speak about my experiences and advocate
and educate about mental illness and mental health challenges. No, I will never
be on national television, I do not have a media team putting together my campaign,
but I, as one person, continue to do what I do, and like the Bell Canada
spokespersons, I am making a difference.
This last December I had the opportunity to once again speak
to some youth at one of the local high schools. I spoke to a grade 11/12
psychology class, and as always, was amazed at these youth. I loved speaking to
them, opening some great dialogue, answering their amazing questions, and, as
always, before we knew it time was up.
The teacher of this program is amazing, she is really
interested and connected with her students, and it shows. During the next
couple of classes, she asks the students to write a short note to me, about my
presentation and what they thought of it. This, too me, is a gift.
No matter how many times I have talked to her students-(I
have been doing it for 4 years now) - and the comments that are sent to me, they
always surprise me, bring a smile to my face and at times a tear to my eye. These
kids are smart, well-articulated, and get it.
This shows me, that one person can make a difference. Here are
a few of those comments
“Thank you for speaking to my class. You really opened our
eyes about Dissociative Identity Disorder and made us understand that it isn't what
Hollywood makes it out to be.”
“The fact that you have been to the lowest of lows and come
out such a happy person is very inspiring...”
“ You made me open my eyes more in life and realize that my
life is crap right now but will get better one day…you showed people that there’s
more out there in life and that they just have to wait for that day to come.”
“You have made me realize there is so much more to life”
“I think people have a lot a misconceptions about mental
illness and you did a great job clearing those up”
“Your presentation was truly inspiring because despite
what you have been through you know who you are. I think it’s hard to find
yourself, regardless of the situation. You helped me understand that even if it
is hard, I will find who I am, and who I want to become.”
“..I realized human beings are very tough and can persevere
through almost anything…”
“… It helped me understand how to see and treat people with
D.I.D. and also other mental health issues.”
“Your story was really meaningful and inspired me. Life can
suck but it can be good and never give up, remember better times are coming.”
For some of these youth, this is the very 1st
time they have learned, discussed and asked questions about mental illness. And
I know, that for some my stories resonate with them because this is the first
time in their life they learn that they are not alone.
I am not and never will be a celebrity. I am not and never
will be a national spokesman, but I do know I make a difference. I will
continue to do what I do, quietly, in my corner of the world. And when I hit
times where I wonder if I am making a difference, I will pull out the student’s
comments and read them once again.
I am not the only one making a difference. There are many,
many individuals and organizations out there doing their part in helping end
the stigma on mental illness. A few individuals I know about are
Kristen Bower http://adventuresofasurvivor.blogspot.ca/
Ashley Pfeifer http://onceuponawarrior.squarespace.com/
Siobhan Brannigan http://apositivefromanegative.tumblr.com/
The following organizations are doing a great job and have amazing
resources on their sites, be it how to talk to or help someone with a mental
illness.
Partners for mental Health http://www.partnersformh.ca/
The Canadian Mental Health Association http://www.cmha.ca/
And here is an amazing resource for parents with children
with mental health issues and challenges. This is a B.C. organization, but great
resources.
The F.O.R.C.E. Society for Children and Mental Health, http://www.forcesociety.com/
It is amazing to see the energy, passion, and drive that
these individuals and organizations have. We All believe that through better
education and understanding, we CAN make a difference, and help END THE STIGMA
and misunderstandings surrounding mental health issues.
Start talking and keep on talking, long after the campaigns
are out done and out of the limelight. Just because the causes and campaigns
are over, does not mean that stigma surrounding mental health stops.
I will never have the lime light shining on me, but I do
know that by my talking, I shine a light that reaches and helps someone else.
Those are my thoughts for the day.
Cheers and be well
Suzy
