October 10th has been proclaimed Mental Health Day in British Columbia, Canada. Mental health awareness is growing in our society, and that is a good thing. It allows people to know that help is available, that they do not have to struggle alone, and that others understand.
October 10th has also been declared as World Mental Health Day. So this week seems an appropriate time for this memory post. All of us have seasons of struggle. Sometimes we need support and extra help. Counsellors are not exempt from this. Below is a post from my social media feed that shares such a time in my life.
The smile on my face does not tell the whole story. I was not ok. I was barely holding it together and trying to hold things together for my kids as we went through some challenging times as a family. This was all I was able to muster the energy for that Thanksgiving weekend. It took another three months, a good friend telling me that my eyes looked like they had lost their gleam, and waking up nightly to panic attacks for me to recognize I needed to ask for more help.
Medication, lowering expectations of myself, making decisions to go or not go places based on what I needed, having grace towards myself, and talking to my support people were necessary as I walked through this season.
Depression and anxiety impact life significantly for the person dealing with them, but aren't easily visible like a cast on a broken bone is.
I did get through this season with a greater understanding of what I need to be ok, and a greater willingness to ask for what I need and to set up boundaries for my own well-being. I had supportive friends and family who walked through the challenging times with me.
If you find yourself struggling, know that you do not have to do this alone. Know that, as dark as things may seem right now, things do change. Having a team of support people - family physician, counsellor, family, friends - can help immensely. Sometimes in these darkest moments we feel like no one will be there and no one will understand. That is one of the lies that depression tries to tell us. Reach out! Talk to someone! You do not have to do this alone.
Phone numbers:
Crisis Centre (24/7) 1-800-784-2433
Greater Vancouver Crisis Line (24/7) 604-872-3311
Fraser Health Crisis Line (24/7) 1-877-820-7444
Mental Health Support Line (24/7) 310-6789 – as strange as it sounds, no area code before the number
Options Crisis Line (24/7 604-951-8855 or 1-877-820-7444
Telecare (24/7) 604-852-9099 (Abbotsford), 1-888-852-9099 through the rest of BC
Crisis text:
Text HOME to 686868 anywhere in Canada to text with a trained crisis responder
Online chat:
https://crisiscentrechat.ca/ then click “Click here to chat”
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