For months I've been struggling with how to write about what I've learned about healing from depression and anxiety. It's not that I can't explain it. I'm just not sure I can write about it in a way that would be of any use to anyone else.
Suicide hotlines are set up to do one thing, and one thing only: to get people through the moment. To provide them with someone to talk to when nobody else is available, until the moment of crisis has passed. That's it.
I've cried in public more times than I can count. I've cried openly on the bus after saying goodbye to a loved one, I've cried at parties, and I've cried at work. Yesterday I sat in a coffee shop and told a trusted friend about a bunch of shit that I've been going through lately, … Continue reading Reflections on public pain and collective rage at the end of 2016
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau's approach to mental health is completely individualist, over-simplistic and useless for most of us who struggle with anxiety, depression, and trauma. It's also not new.
That last couple of years I have been trying to eliminate chemicals from my life. I started by using only vinegar and baking soda to clean my house. Then I started washing my hair with vinegar, dyeing it with lemon juice, and moisturizing it with coconut oil. Then I stumbled on a blog post about … Continue reading DIY, self love, and re-defining legitimate knowledge
Someone asked me recently what my favourite self care strategies are. It seemed like a reasonable question until I realized that I had no idea what the answer is. I drew a complete blank. Which is weird, because I'm a mental health activist and I spend a lot of time thinking about how to take care … Continue reading Why I don’t believe in “self care” (and how to make it obsolete)
Trigger warning: the following includes discussion of health care professionals, depression, anxiety and mood disorders in general. It's June of the year I turned 23. I have just moved across the country, from Ottawa to Vancouver, and into my mother's house, because I am too sick to work and can't afford to pay my rent. The … Continue reading Five major barriers to basic mental health care
