Well, it's officially been a year since I've written anything on this blog... The last post I wrote was to promote Bell Let's Talk Day and today's post again this year will be for the exact same purpose. I am doing my part to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and to do that, I'm asking for your help again this year.
As many of you know from last year's post, I lived with Clinical Depression for 16 years of my life. I was on medications, I saw psychiatrists and many psychologists until we finally figured out what was going to work to keep me healthy. There were times in those 16 years that I thought I was better, only to crash again and come out the other end much worse than I started. I am thankful for a very supportive family who mixed humour in with my struggles to keep "me" in what I was going through. I am also thankful that I, with the help of my doctor, took the time and were able to figure out what it would take to keep me healthy without medication. It was a scary and confusing time in my life but it is a part of me and I believe a big part of who I am today is attributed to my struggles with my mental health.
As I am about to embark on a new and very foreign chapter in my life, a new "beast" has been brought to my attention; Post-Partum Depression. As someone who has previously worked through clinical depression, the possibility of me developing post-partum depression is slightly increased and something that I need to be aware of. Does it scare me? Yes, it scares the living daylights out of me. Do I have a better chance than others of recognizing the signs when they show up because of my past history? Yes, I do and for that I am thankful. Post-partum depression can strike any new Mom and it is so important to get the help you need and to talk about what you are going through and get some tools in your tool belt to help you get through it. Take it from me, the longer you tell yourself you're "fine" and the more you hold in, the worse it will become and the longer it will take you to work through it. Be kind to yourself and to your baby and talk about what you're thinking and feeling, even if it's only to one other person.
Here are some of the things I will be doing to try to keep myself healthy for myself and my new baby;
- I will be spending time outdoors
- I will make sure I am getting some form of exercise everyday (even if it's a walk down to the mailbox and back)
- I will make sure I am being kind to myself and keeping my perfectionist nature at bay
- I will take the "me" time that I need
- I will eliminate all sources of drama and turmoil in my life and surround myself with positive, genuine people
- Last but not least as this will be the hardest one for me... I will be honest with guests and visitors about when baby and I have had enough and it is time to leave and I will not back down when the pressure to stay is put on me.
I hope that by sharing my "tools" I will help a new Mom or someone struggling with depression find their own and get started on their path back to being healthy. Along with my tools above, the most important tool there is for anyone struggling with any kind of mental health concern is to talk. Find a trusted friend, family member or medical professional and talk about what you are thinking and feeling. If someone doesn't have time to listen or you're getting a swept away kind of response, find someone else. The key to breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and to staying healthy for yourself is to talk.
So tomorrow, Wednesday, January 27, 2016, much like I did last year, I am asking all of you, my friends and family to help break down that stigma surrounding mental health and talk. Bell Canada has done an incredible job of bringing light to this issue for the past 5 years and will be donating money towards mental health initiatives again tomorrow. Here's how you can help;
Tomorrow, for every text message, wireless and long distance call made by Bell Canada and Bell Aliant customers, Bell will donate 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs. Not a Bell customer? For those not on the Bell network, every tweet using #BellLetsTalk and every Facebook share of the Bell Let's Talk Day image at Facebook.com/BellLetsTalk, Bell will also donate 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs. There are no excuses not to participate, it takes two seconds and will make a world of difference in the lives of millions of Canadians. For all of the mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, dads, brothers, sons and husbands - let's do this Canada!!!
Love, health and kindness,
Lisa
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