Let's Talk

In Canada, we have this thing called Bell Let's Talk day, where we tweet, share or make a donation by using the hashtag #BellLetsTalk. I'm not sure if other places in the world do this, but it's pretty much a big deal here, with millions of commercials, posters, and of course, endorsements. And how can it not be? According to Canadian Mental Health Association, 20% of Canadians will experience mental health issues in their lifetime, and it's something that affects every age, culture and gender.

I contribute, by tweeting and sharing posts, but this year, I wanted to do something different. I don't know what else I'm good at other than talking and writing things down, so... here we are. However, I think my biggest motivation behind writing this post is because, ever since I started university, I've noticed a lot of things changing.

Aside from realizing I've acquired terrible sleeping habits, stress levels reaching a whole new level of scary, and constant eating, I realized how hard the transition is going from high school to university. Your life changes drastically: a routine you've had the majority of your life ends, you drift away from people, and you're trying to find your place in the world while being stuck in a terrible limbo of trying to be an adult, and clinging onto that sense of curiosity, free-spiritedness and passion that comes from being a teenager. 

If you go to school at Ryerson like me, you probably seen them- the suits. And I'm not talking about the television show. I'm talking about the business people with caffeinated bright eyes and designer eye bags for days. I'm talking about the pros and Yuppies- the latter of which make you question if you really got your life under control because there's no way they're over 28. It's a dose of reality that makes the transition scarier, and that times almost up, and we can't stop being kids anymore: we actually have to be responsible and knowledgable in life without constantly ringing up mom or dad for help.

I'm pretty much open to change, and moving onto another chapter in my life has never really phased me. But I will say, that there are times when I feel like I can't do this, and there are times I'm feeling down; this transition has nerved me at times, but thankfully, I have good people around me. However, not everyone can be fortunate, and for someone that's been touched by mental health in various forms in her lifetime and is a full time student with a part time job that understands how hard this change can be, I can't imagine how difficult it is, and for that, I won't say sorry- it's not your fault. Instead I'll say: want to talk?

Because I get it- I really do get it. This world goes on around you, while you feel trapped on the inside. There's a million things go on in your head, and you don't know what to say, who to say it to, or worst of all: who will listen and care about me? It's a constant cycle of trying to get better, but not trying to seem weak. Trying to understand what's going on in your head, without wanting anyone to think that you're just not ready, that you're crying 'wolf' or seeking attention. It's a new level of stress, anxiety, and emotion that adds more pressure on you than others think.

While today is Bell Let's Talk day, while today is a great day to see what a country can do to start a conversation, I wrote this post today because I wanted everyone to know that conversations shouldn't start or end because of a hashtag or trend. They should always be talked about, otherwise we lose what we've build towards- we lose our voices on the matter in a way, and let everything not talked about go by without notice.

I wrote this post because... well, once, there was a time when I was feeling at my worst, and one of the only people that I thought I could trust... Well, they told me my problems didn't matter. That I was making it up- that it wasn't real, not compared to their problems. Because I was a teenager. Because I was a student- what type of problems can I have? If I focused more, studied more, there'd be no problems. I never felt more alone, never felt more scared, angry, and of course stuck.

I don't want anyone to feel like that. While I'm great right now, I never want anyone to go through that alone. We have to end the stigma, we have to end these stereotypes, because it's not helping anyone. We have to understand that there's no easy way to fix this,

So let's talk. And let us not stop talking. 

Canadian Mental Health Association: http://www.cmha.ca/