Mental illnesses have been a taboo topic of conversation among many friends and family, says the Bell Let's Talk website.
To help support those living with mental illnesses, Bell hosts Bell Let's Talk Day, a day to openly discuss mental illnesses to put a stop to its stigma and make more people aware that it's okay to talk about it.
Today, the hashtag #bellletstalk has been circulating social media. Also, with every text message sent from a Bell phone, Bell donates $0.05 to mental health initiatives.
Among the issues talked about is postpartum depression.
New parents Joshua and Lilly Potvin said they experienced it after their daughter, Amelia, was born back in August.
"I had really bad postpartum depression to the point where I felt like I hated my baby," said Lilly. "I didn't want to get up in the night with her because I would just cry. We've been trying to have a baby for three years so she is a blessing but no one prepares you for this. I ended up going to see my doctor to help with the depression and surprising enough, it's working."
Trying to help his wife cope with her depression caused Joshua to suffer from it as well.
"I guess for me, my depression started when Lilly wouldn't look after the baby and so I would feed her while her mother cried," he said. "I'm a trucker so I'm on the road often. I think that's what started hers. I was always gone and she couldn't leave the baby with a family member or friend because we're new to town. She was with Amelia all the time when I was gone."
Also welcoming a baby in October with her husband, Kayla Condotta also said she experienced post partum depression after her son was born.
"I went through post partum depression," she said. "I also have anxiety."
Christopher Barbeau said he suddenly lost his father, who had schizophrenia, last year. His father was of 51.
"I remember it clear as day," he said. "It was the day after his birthday. He told me the day before that he kept hearing someone following him. I asked my dad if he took his medications. He said yes so I went home. The next day, I went to pick him up to go for our daily coffee run and I found him. He had a letter in his pocket and everything as to why he did it was detailed in it. I blame myself. I should have been there. Now, I suffer from depression. I'm also medicated to help me sleep at night because all I see is him."
According to the website, there are five key ways to help end the stigma that is mental illness:
- Language: the words used to describe mental illness can make a difference.
- Educate yourself: read about facts and myths concerning mental illness and being aware of them can be a great way to end the stigma.
- Be kind: being kind can make a world of difference.
- Listen and ask: asking how you can help or even to just listen to someone who needs your help can be helpful.
- Talk about it: break the silence and don't suffer alone.
In Elliot Lake, there are locations that can help you, or someone you know, with their mental illnesses:
- Counselling Centre of East Algoma
- Mental Health and Addiction Program
- Community Mental Health
- Consumer Initiative- Elliot Lake
- Algoma Public Health
- Health Sciences North, Elliot Lake site: Adult Mental Health Counselling and Treatment Services
For more information on ways to help end the stigma of mental illnesses, visit the Bell Let's Talk website