In Australia where I live, this week is Mental Health Week. It was this time last year that I decided to write about mental health issues, more specifically about depression. My hope was that my ramblings could be helpful, at the very least to the people who love and care about those who suffer from depression. How successful I have been in this endeavour is hard to say or for me to measure. I am just doing what I can and hoping that my messages are getting out to those who need to hear it.
Back to Mental Health Week. Sounds like a good idea, huh? On one level, it is. It highlights the existence of a disease that until recently, has been a private affair for those who suffer from it - a dirty shame, something that should never be revealed much less talked about. Now, we have open discussions about it. Community sponsored events like Mental Health Week and Are U OK Day legitimises the disease and gives people permission to talk about it. Very laudable.
From my perspective however, the down-side is the over-wrought and earnest attention that it brings with it. That, along with the Oprah-like "redemption" stories could have the effect of increasing the tension and the anxiety of depression sufferers. Let me explain why...
During community sponsored events like Are U OK Day, we are all encouraged to ask someone how they are. The problem is that a person who suffers from depression isn't likely to seek attention, much less from everyone in their day. I can only speak from my own experience of course but the spotlight can often be too bright. My typical thought process would go something like this: "Shit, they are asking if I'm OK. What do I say? I should be careful about whether I admit to it or not. If I admit to it, I best not say exactly what is running around in my head or I will alarm them. Shit - they're now super uncomfortable and now I have to deal with that as well!".
I am not saying that checking in with someone isn't helpful. Just not en-masse and not only at one time of the year. Depression is a 24-hour 7-days a week disease. It doesn't just wait for Are You OK Day or for Mental Health Week to come around. There isn't a Hallmark card for it.
Which brings me to the "redemption" stories. You know the ones - the sufferer suffered for years in the most heinous way, but then something happened and it changed his life. He is now free from the suffering! Hallelujah - he is saved! With depression it could be something like cognitive behavioural therapy or mood stabilizers or simply because he found god.
Here's my problem with "redemption" stories. It inadvertently highlights the feeling of worthlessness and inadequacy. While trying to tell me that "You too could be saved!", my depression interprets that as "Shit - he suffered worst than I do and even he could be saved. I must be pretty shit because I've been trying and I haven't been saved yet. See - just another example of how worthless I am".
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to depression. CBT works on some people, pills work on others. Hell, sometimes the rigidity and structure of religion can work too. But each case is individual and has to be seen in that light. Sometimes, I don't necessarily get that message from these "redemption" stories.
While I applaud these community sponsored events, my personal view is that these can only be superficial measures designed to make people feel like they are doing something, even if it is not the most effective way to deal with this disease. Instead, I think we should channel this energy and attention into designing better, more affordable and easily accessible health care for people who suffer from mental health issues.
So there you go.
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