Many years ago, I was very grateful to the Ottawa Citizen for allowing me to share my own story, and taking a photograph to accompany my letter. I spoke about how I was bullied and excluded during my teenage years. We all respond differently to bullying, and I responded by falling flat on my face. I withdrew from school and internalized everything that the teenagers were telling me. As other youth were finding their identities, mine revolved around feelings of being worthless.
Perhaps, then, we can also talk about a mental-health wing, or separate structure where those of us in crisis can go to receive care and a comprehensive plan for moving forward? Maybe an ER that isn’t packed with members of the general public who can hear you speaking through a microphone, admitting to the triage team why you’ve come? I was embarrassed when I showed up a few months ago with a urinary tract infection. I’d prefer not to have to announce that I feel like killing myself.
I am a teacher but have not been able to work a whole year for almost my entire career due to my ongoing mental health issues.
Bell Let's Talk Day is much like our mental healthcare system - a sad joke.