Bell Let’s Talk Day is January 30, 2019 in Canada.

Bell Let’s Talk Day started in 2010, back when talking about mental health wasn’t something people did openly. Bell Let’s Talk helped start that national conversation. Stigma started breaking down. People became educated about mental health. New ideas and hope grew. Depression research started looking at alternative therapies. Workplace health became a priority.

This Bell Let’s Talk Day take a moment and get involved.

Depression talk is as important as breathing air

Depression talk heals the person. It also helps people around that person understand what’s going on and how to act that doesn’t set off triggers or cause more distress for everyone.

Depression talk lets you heal yourself. Depression talk gives voice to your pain. It gives power back to you. You are in charge of what you say about your feelings.

Perhaps you haven’t told anyone you’re depressed. Maybe you can’t even admit it to yourself. It might be you don’t know or are unsure if you’re depressed. No one can help you if you don’t give voice to your pain. It’s like having a tumour but not telling anyone about it, not even a doctor. If no one knows you’re in pain, no one will know you need help.

When society talks about depression, it creates positive change in how people treat each other. Depression talk creates a better understanding of the different types of mental health issues. Stigma is chipped away, maybe even broken. Workplaces put in programs, such as job security and easy or free access to mental help, that value workers who are depressed. There is a better treatment of depressed people, including positive changes to mental health regulations, employment standards, and workplace regulations.

Depression talk is necessary. The benefits go beyond the person.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. (http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org)

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