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I CAME ACROSS this image yesterday:
Image credit: Minds Like Ours
It really struck a chord with me. We often see images comparing depression to diabetes or other chronic illnesses, but this one seemed to pack more of a punch. Clearly I’m not the only one who thought this – in all the time I’ve been blogging, nothing, and I mean literally nothing, has grabbed peoples’ interest quite so much as this. My page almost imploded with the reaction. I think what’s different about this one is that it really, really explains depression in a way that people can get. There’s no jargon, no lingo, no pithy feel good cliché, just a simple statement.
The tip of the iceberg
The strength of the reaction to this got me thinking as well, particularly following on from a training course I was at on Saturday with See Change. A conversation developed around the idea of why people are so reluctant to put energy and time into fundraising for research on mental illness, yet have no problem supporting much needed research into physical illnesses. The current Shave or Dye campaign is a stunning example. It’s hugely successful, widely recognised, and grows year on year. There’s huge media support for it, and no one would think twice about agreeing to take part in an event around it.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not discounting the value of campaigns like this, not for a second. They do incredibly valuable work and have brought about huge change over the years. But wouldn’t it be amazing to see a similar campaign take off around mental health? I mean above and beyond the awareness raising campaigns that are doing such wonderful work right now… Pieta House’s Darkness into Light is one, See Change’s Green Ribbon campaign is another. But are they enough? One is raising funds for a single, albeit desperately needed service, the other is encouraging more open conversation around mental health, which, while similarly desperately needed is the merest tip of the iceberg.
Research and services are desperately needed
More than all of this, what’s needed is research. Why do people develop mental illnesses? Is it the oft-mentioned chemical imbalance? Our genetic make up? Something to do with the structure of our brain? And why are some of us more susceptible than others? Is there a more effective means of diagnosis? A more specific way of tailoring treatment? The list of questions is endless.
After research? Services. Services that are accessible to everyone, not just those who have private insurance. True, there are public services. But they are painfully stretched, and really, if you’re not in crisis, they’re not in a position to help. Services need to be put in place that work to stop the crisis from happening.
We can’t just wait around for answers, we need to find them
I realise that 20, 30 years ago, cancer was spoken about behind closed doors and in hushed tones. It’s taken a long time for that to change. I’m impatient, though. I don’t want to wait another 20 or 30 years for similar change to come about in relation to mental illness.
I want to see it happen now, because really, would you consider asking someone in the middle of an asthma attack why they weren’t breathing the freely available air? Would you tell them to snap out of it? That they’re not trying hard enough? That it’s all in their head? No, you wouldn’t. You’d help, in whatever way possible, because you might just save a life.
Mental illness is no different. We need to stop treating it differently. Talking is a start, but so much more is needed.
Fiona Kennedy is a 30(ish) year old, happily married, mam of two, living in a small town in Connemara. She has two crazy dogs, wonderful friends and a loving, supportive family. She also has borderline personality disorder and occasional depression and blogs about this at Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers. You can follow her on Facebook or Twitter @SunnyScattered. Fiona is an Ambassador for See Change – the national movement to change minds about mental health, ‘one conversation at a time’.
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Yes 2021 here and 1690 for some up north.
No screw the UK we need to stop letting them dictate how we run things, they will be the ones who look ridiculous enforcing a different timezone for the smaller region on the island.
Endless summer time sounds fantastic!
@Ian McNally: knowing them they’ll choose endless winter.
@Ian McNally: Portugal and Spain gave 2 different time zones, so what? no big deal.
@Ian McNally: Portugal and Spain gave 2 different time zones, so what? no big deal.
@Gus Sheridan: have 2 ……..
Time to get rid of it
@Dick Face: only the planters and the nuts.
@DartMcCart: And what about the other 78 people ?
If EU changes, UK will change too. 80%+ of UK citizens are in favour of getting rid of the biannual time change.
@sean o’dhubhghaill: I’m in favour of the biannual time change
The energy savings argument was always been rather tenuous. Germany introduced the change in 1916 in the probably mistaken belief that it would help reduce energy use, the U.K. followed suit not wanting to let Germany get the upper hand in war preparations and Ireland was instructed to follow suit. We didn’t even get to have an opinion. Farmers were bitterly opposed which is interesting because you often hear that they are the reason the clock changing tradition must be kept.
1916 in Dublin would be 1690 in Belfast and 1776 in Washington DC.
We are part of Europe or not simply!!
@Dizzy: not please
No one cares about Norn Iron leave them to it
@Stevie Doran: Really?! No one at all. Are you certain of that?
We’ll be the same as Belfast for half the year
There is already two time zones in Ireland.
CET and Healy Ray’s Dark ages.
Our politicians are good at manipulating figures, I’m sure they’ll figure something out.
We should change the two economic zones as well
Another chance for those living in Ulcer land a chance to say No.
I’m definitely leaving Ireland if we won’t change with the rest of Europe. The U.K. Will make up their own minds anyway!!!!
Ah the poor government! Won’t bother them too much! It’s the workforce that pays their alarm calls who are going to feel it!
How can these cowards not even make the simplest decisions without someone holding their hand. Daylight savings time is an archaic ritual, the reasons for which have long since stopped being relevant. Who cares if NI keep it, it’s not as if we won’t be able to function. Not only do they want a team of consultants holding one hand but they want the brits holding the other. We’re doomed if this lot ever have to deal with a crisis situation, the country will fall apart around them while they ask consultants and focus groups what would be a popular course of action.
I’ve living in places where this is normal, like Australia and parts of the US. Everyone seems to be missing the bonus here – you can drink until last orders and then hop a taxi and five minutes later drink for another hour until last orders again.
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