Day 5 - 31 -- Talk for Action

Let's Talk. That is the motto for today, the seventh year of the Bell Let's Talk Day. The goal is to focus on conversations about mental health -- to build that critical mass socially that can effect change in norms and mores. Things are changing. I find conversations on campus occur more often than a decade ago and have moved to planning actions. Many students and faculty members are trained in mental health first aid -- how to recognize the signs and symptoms and find ways to direct people to the support systems they may need. Everyone knows how to get themselves to a physician, but fewer understand where to go for assistance when the issue is depression, anxiety, panic, or the many other signs that something is not working right with brain chemistry. Surveys of campuses across Canada show that students are presenting more often for such services, so much so that the systems have become overwhelmed. While plans are in place to expand services, it takes time and money to do so. The number seeking assistance is, to me, a clear sign that we are talking and stigma is reducing just a bit.

My dream to live to see a world where all we need to talk about is health. Until then, we need to continue to name the issue -- hence, mental health. Once we name it and bring it out of the dark spaces in attics where it has hidden, we can begin to see it for what it is -- and more importantly for what it isn't. Naming it and bringing it into public discourse takes away the myth and misunderstanding. It presents facts to counter fears and opinion. Without that, we can't move to the next step of making systemic changes for services to be available as needed -- not 2 weeks from Tuesday, but now. Some institutions and industry are making changes to employee benefit packages so change is arriving. So -- once we understand that it is just a physiological and biochemical illness like other illnesses, presenting with a need at a health office will be easier to do; it can reduce the fear of judgement -- that stigma of the unknown disease processes currently carry -- that asking for help when one is not visibly bleeding does not make one weak. Imagine that day.

I tossed around a few songs for today and finally settled on one that fits well with the theme of the day -- talking and supporting each other in being as healthy as we can be. Many covers have been made since the original. I've chosen a more recent one to share here today. Love this voice. Enjoy!

Stand By Me  -- Seal