A Time to Consider Our Own Mortality

"Hester [Drummer of Crowded House] was known for his crazy on-stage antics but there have been suggestions the drummer struggled with depression."

http://smh.com.au/articles/2005/03/28/1111862285896.html

"The death of rugby league legend Steve Rogers this week has brought to light one of the continuing dark secrets in our community and that is men and depression. The 51-year-old died at his Sydney home after reportedly taking a cocktail of alcohol and prescription drugs. Like many men, Steve Rogers kept his demons to himself, believing his mental illness would be seen as a weakness. Health experts says it's this perspective that stops men talking about the issue and seeking help, and that can have devastating consequences."

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2006/s1542535.htm

Something needs to be done in our community about depression and anxiety. I dont know what other countries are doing, but I can say quite easily one thing:

"Australia is currently not equipped to deal with this illness"

Sure, there are "mental hospitals" and "intervention centres" and "community programs" which are set up in order to help the mentally ill but am I not the only one that cringes at the thought of labelling someone as "mentally ill"?

"You are mentally ill."

As a result of society's past treatment of those that are suffering from mental illness, no one wants to be labelled as "mentally ill". When I think of "mental illness", I think of straight jacks, white padded rooms and scary human beings who dribble uncontrollably or do strange things. When I think of "mentally ill", I think of the guy that approached me at the Lourve that night in Paris.

Well, its time to let society in on a cold, hard fact.

"Mental illness is not something to be afraid of."

Take a look across your street at home and look at the perfect family that has lived there for many years. He has a great job, a beautiful wife and three very successful sons. He has a mental illness. He is depressed.

Take a look at the sportswoman who won the last local sporting event, who was surrounded by family at the finish line and who proudly showed off her trophy for everyone to see. Well, she had a mental illness. She had anxiety.

"Normal people suffer from depression and/or anxiety too."

And here is another home truth.

"Highly successful, personable people can
suffer depression and/or anxiety too."

You see, the past couple of generations have been fed images in the media, and in movies, and books, about those who are suffering from mental illness - does Silence of the Lambs come to mind?

Also, lets think about the times when we have labelled anyone that acts remotely out of the ordinary. I put my hand up and say that I have often come out with statements such as "what a nutcase" or "she is craaaaaazy."

With that in mind, why would the normal, outgoing person admit to me, or to others, that they have depression or anxiety when I am so quick to label people with mental illnesses as "nutcases".

Everyone needs to stop and take a look at their own views of mental illnesses.

"Even if the sufferer is an intelligent, successful person with a lot of friends, it is not a case of just snapping out of it. It is like asking a person who is diabetic to stop being diabetic."

Here are the facts:

• Depression is not simply normal sadness, being moody or just a low mood, but a serious illness. It causes both physical and psychological symptoms.
  
• Up to one in four females and one in six males will experience depression in their lifetime.
  
• Depression is the leading cause of suicide.
  
• Depression is often not recognised or treated.
  
• Current treatments for depression are safe and effective.
  
• Depression also commonly occurs with specific anxiety syndromes.
  

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=1.3

So what can you do to help? There are so many things that you can do to help. Firstly, take a look at your own attitudes and how you percieve people who have mental illnesses. Then take a look at how you would usually assist anyone that you suspect has a mental illness.

Useful tips for helping someone with depression or anxiety include:

1. Indicate that you have noticed a change in their behaviour;
   
2. Suggest that they visit their family doctor;
   
3. Suggest that they seek help from a health professional;
   
4. Assist the person to make an appointment to see a family doctor or other health professional;
   
5. Accompany the person when they go to see a health professional;
   
6. Make extra efforts to stay in contact;
   
7. Include the person in social and pleasant events;
   
8. Help the person to find information about depression or anxiety;
   
9. Try and have other close friends or family adopt a similar inclusive approach; and,
   
10. Find out what self-help strategies help or eventually do harm."

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=1.10

Every time we are confronted by a suicide of a person that we know, or a highly successful and public figure that has committed suicide, we all act very shocked. We need to stop being shocked and admit that there is a problem with society's behaviour towards those who have mental illness.

By changing our views on mental illnesses, those who are suffering from them will feel more comfortable seeking help from various sources, rather than dealing with the issue on their own.

Check out this website out for more information - www.beyondblue.com.au

If you arent in Australia and you want to find out where you can get information of this kind, let me know and I can do some research for you.

And for those that are suffering from depression and/or anxiety, THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. I assure you.