Let's Talk: Mental Health, Ways You Can Seek Help & Keeping the Conversation Going

I remember my first panic attack vividly. I was sitting in the back of my parent’s van, my mum was driving and my brother was sitting in the passenger seat. We were on our way to high school like any other morning but this morning was slightly different, I was getting my grade twelve graduation photos taken. I went from feeling good to bad quickly. My mum was talking about how I should pose for the photo, my brother was busy texting on his phone, and I was having my first panic attack. My chest felt heavy like it was closing up, my breathing became panicked, and I started to shake. Since I had never experienced this feeling before, I started to cry, not understanding what was happening to me.

Since then I have experienced many more panic attacks as a result of triggers I am aware of, and ones that I am not. Sometimes I find myself taken off guard when I start feeling anxious, not being able to understand why I’m feeling the way I am. Anxiety or panic attacks aren’t something that I remember being talked about in high school so when I started university, I wanted to connect with people who understood what I was experiencing. I also shared this with my family to explain why I suddenly may not be acting or feeling like myself. While it's been quite a few years since this first started, I still struggle to fully control my anxiety. Although the issue still persists, I’ve surrounded myself with people who can be there for me when I need someone or can leave me be for a while.

When I was younger and would visit my extended family, I remember hearing the older members talk about “crazy people” and those individuals having to go to the “loony bin” to seek help. It was as if they were shaming and laughing at people who needed help because of something they couldn’t control. This lack of empathy and understanding has not only harmed these individual’s perspectives, it has also damaged relationships through their narrowmindedness.

While I understand that there are individuals who still believe that seeking help for a mental illness or their overall mental health makes them less than someone else, I’m so happy by how far society has come from breaking this stigma and have challenged these beliefs.

For a bit of background, mental health refers to cognitive, behavioural, and emotional well-being. It is all about how people think, feel, and behave. However, mental illness occurs when the brain, just like any other organ [...] is not working the way it should. Mental illness is a collection of disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety. While both mental health and mental illness are oftentimes used interchangeably, it’s worth noting that there are differences in each definition.

In 2010, the Canadian telecommunications company, Bell Canada launched the campaign Bell Let’s Talk in an effort to raise awareness and end the stigma surrounding mental illness in Canada. The most prominent part of the campaign is “Bell Let’s Talk Day”, an annual one-day advertising campaign where money is donated to mental health initiatives based on interactions through the use of hashtag activism on social media (#BellLetsTalk) or through any of Bell Canada telecommunication services (calling or texting). Since its founding, over $100 million has been committed to mental health in Canada.

On January 28, 2021, Bell Canada held its annual Bell Let’s Talk Day. During the day, 159,173,435 messages were shared in support and because of this, Bell Canada will donate (in addition to donations from previous years) $7,958,671.15 towards various avenues in support of mental health awareness and mental illness support.

When this day rolls around every year, nearly everyone I follow on social media who lives in Canada is happily engaging with the hashtag, sharing encouraging words of love and support, and urging those who feel like they need help to seek it. While this day brings on a feeling of hope and optimism to end the stigma for some, this day can also pose as a reminder to those who have a mental illness and the simple notion of “turning that sad face emoji to a happy one” risks a disconnect between the action and the cause.

Another important point to note is while Bell Let’s Talk Day is simply just a day, the conversation about educating ourselves and others about mental health and mental illnesses while building an understanding and empathy towards it doesn’t end when the clock strikes midnight. This conversation, telecommunication corporation involved or not, should be openly expressed daily, reminding people of any age that their feelings are valid and that there are resources that can help.

While we’re still living in uncertain times because of COVID, virtual care resources (by phone, email, text, or video chat) are in the spotlight as it is the safest and easiest way to seek support of any kind. I’ve done some research and explored a few different ways that an individual can virtually speak to someone and apps for those who experience anxiety or a loss of sleep.

Therapy

Wellness Together Canada

Funded by the Government of Canada in response to the increase of stress and anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Accessible 24/7, this mental health and substance use website provides free of charge; immediate text support, information on common mental health issues, mental wellness programs to be done individually with coaching, monitored communities of support and phone, video, and text counselling.

Hasu eCounselling

This healthcare platform and mobile app provide secure online video, talk and text counselling for those who struggle with mental health issues including depression and anxiety, as well as substance abuse. A one-hour session for video or talk counselling is $95.00 (plus HST) however, Unlimited Text Therapy is $29.00 per week (plus HST).

Mindfulness Apps

Calm (my favourite)

Their mission to make the world “happier and healthier,” Calm provides guided meditation and sleep classes to calm those who feel anxious. The app is free to download and some classes are free with the download, but there is a fee to have access to their whole library.

When I'm feeling anxious I turn to Calm. There are a few free guided sessions that I like that focus on breathing that I find helps me.

Headspace

A free app to download, Headspace offers a basic course to learn the basics of meditation and mindfulness. With a subscription to the service, Headspace offers exercises to add mindfulness to your day as well as hundreds of meditations including everything from stress to sleep.

There are many resources that are available - so many that it can be overwhelming. If you’re located in Ontario, CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) provides information for those who wish to seek help and don’t know where to begin including understanding costs, practices, and medication as well as ways you can help loved ones who may need help. You can find their website here.

For more virtual mental health resources available in Canada, check out this article where Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe shares options that allow Canadians to receive the support they need.

Some people may be silently struggling. Those who appear to be your happiest of friends may be the saddest. It’s important to remember to be kind, gentle, and considerate to everyone. Check-in on the people in your life, especially now more than ever. This second lockdown may be affecting people harder than the first.

Destigmatizing mental health and mental illness should not be whittled down to a day a year. I hope we continue to have these conversations within schools, institutions, and with our loved ones so no one has to feel like what they’re feeling isn’t valid, again.

xx Lex