Wendy Matthews - Happy Being Me
I record the ITTV show interviews well in advance and I am never sure when certain interviews will fall on the calendar. I have an amazing interview to share with you as we gallop towards December. Wendy Matthews COE of Happy Being Me shares her story of depression which lead her to attempt suicide 9 times, the first time being when she was 12 years old.
Wendy has so much joy flowing from her heart during the interview it is difficult to imagine this woman unable to function with a mental illness. I am touched that Wendy takes the time to revisit the stories from her past and share painful experiences in the hope that others who may be going through difficult times might hear about her struggle, see that she was able to recover, and feel inspired to do the same within their own lives. Wendy even discusses the isolation that arises from living with depression. She talks about how family, friends and neighbors react to mental illness, usually abandoning the mentally ill person, thinking that their behavior is a sign that they would prefer to be alone. This may be the worst thing that can happen to someone suffering from depression or mental illness. I recently attended a talk with Ellis Katsof the Cheif Executive Officer of Pathstone Mental Health organization who highlighted the fact that when his wife had cancer people came out of the woodwork to support her; that she has been recovered for six months now and she is still receiving thoughtful cards and gifts. However, this speaker was acutely aware that had his wife had a mental illness, the cards, the visits, the flowers would not have been as prevalent, perhaps not existing at all.
The Canadian Mental Health Association states that;
“It is important to note, however, that while suicide rates do not increase over the holiday season, depression rates do. Numerous studies, as well as anecdotal evidence from the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario and the Toronto Distress Centre, confirm that both the number and severity of calls by depressed persons increases every year through November and December, returning to normal volume towards the end of January”.
In 2003 the stats show that 11.6 million visits to doctors occurred across Canada about depression/anixety. http://www.bayridgetreatmentcenter.com
Wendy has a priceless message that she brings with her today. Wendy did not survive 9 suicide attempts without reason. Wendy is an inspirational speaker who reminds each and every one of us that depression and mental illness are very real in our community. People with mental illness need support, friendship and just like those with a physical illness.
As we move into the time of year where more people suffer from feelings of depression, take a moment and be present with people.
Here is my Christmas wish this year: I would like each and everyone of you reading this to stop, sit and think about someone you know who has a mental illness. maybe you know someone who is isolated, alone, an elderly neighbor or a great aunt who you never seem to find the time to visit. One of my favorites to dedicate time to is the Mother at home isolated all day with multiple children. Choose anyone that you feel may benefit from a deliberate, well thought out act of kindness. This doesn’t require money, this isn’t giving unwrapped toys and canned goods to faceless boxes in the mall. This is sitting and being present with someone who may not have anyone in the world that takes a moment to stop and be in their space.
While, in large part, I am agreeable to the idea that mnetal illness is a choice, it also strikes me that it is obviously not so simple.I have long thought that many mnetal illnesses are the simply result of a lack of life skills. When an individual hasn’t developed any given life skill to the point where he can effectively deal with any given stress in a positive manner, he will choose to deal with it in a maladaptive manner, and the symptoms of his underdeveloped life skill will appear in the form of a metal illness. However, in most instances, this choice is not a conscious choice, which renders the use of the word choice problematic, as we tend to think of a choice as being something about which we are conscious.In addition, I find it impossible to believe that all mnetal illnesses can be chalked up to maladaptive choices. It strikes me that many mnetal illnesses are the result of things that the individual has little to no control over whatsoever. Many factors, from genetic deficiencies to toxic biochemistry, can be factors in mnetal illness. For example, it is difficult for me to believe that an individual plagued by schizophrenia is making the choice (conscious or otherwise) to cope with stress through the use of auditory hallucinations.Regardless, whether any given mnetal illness is a choice or not, it remains a mnetal illness As the choice to cope with stress in a manner that is harmful to oneself demonstrates mnetal illness. As such, thinking about mnetal illness as a choice would serve to inform the manner in which one would/should approach a mnetal illness, but it does not negate the presence of the mnetal illness.
Thought processes that itnrefere with one’s daily life and happiness or that pose a threat to oneself or others.Mental illness can be treated and successfully dealt with. Whether it can be considered cured depends on the cause and nature.