© XAVIER LORENZO / STOCK.ADOBE.COM
Banishing the stigma
Treating mental health with openness and compassion
by LAWRENCE VARGA and JOSEPH HANNA
As we are just coming off of World Suicide Prevention Day (Sept. 10), and October contains both World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10) and Invisible Disabilities Week (Oct. 15-21), this fall means it’s time to talk about what we’re often afraid to discuss, even though it affects so many of us. It is estimated that as many as half of all Canadians will have dealt with a mental condition, including depression, by the time they are 50 years old, so if it isn’t you, it’s certainly the person sitting next to you.
It’s important to recognize the signs of depression, such as the person not wanting to do things they enjoyed previously, procrastinating, moving slowly, seeming distant, distracted, indecisive, disconnected, irritable, easily fatigued, and having frequent headaches or stomach pain, or drastic changes in sleep or weight.
When you see these changes in a friend, family member or co-worker, don’t be afraid to talk about it and know that it will most likely feel awkward. You can start with, “I’ve noticed that you haven’t seemed yourself lately. Is there anything going on that you’re struggling with that you’d like to talk about?” Although many times the person will pretend to be OK, that caring question may give the person just enough hope to go on another day and maybe plant the seed in their mind to seek professional help.
Allowing someone to talk openly about their struggles without judgment or shame, and showing them empathy and compassion can be liberating and may empower them to get the help they need. Michael Landsberg’s website, Sicknotweak.com, for example, allows for sharing of vulnerabilities and lived experience as a source of collective strength. We can all learn skills to help promote life, eliminate stigma and shame, and help someone who is struggling with dark, desperate thoughts. It’s OK to not be OK.
Mental health
According to a recent Mental Health Commission of Canada report, almost three-quarters of the annual 4,000 suicide deaths are men. Men are often not accustomed to talking about feelings. In particular, men may be afraid of being labelled weak, lazy or unintelligent and may handle mental anguish with harmful behaviours, such as substance or alcohol dependency—LV
Pharmacies in Costco’s Quebec locations are independently owned and operated by pharmacists.
© Costco Canada
Lawrence Varga, B.Sc.Phm., is assistant vice president of Costco Pharmacy.
Joseph Hanna, B.Sc. Phm., CDE, CGP, director of Costco Pharmacy, contributed to this column.