World Mental Health Day - October 10, 2011

There isn't a lot of advice I can give regarding mental health. It's not like giving advice about how to eat at a restaurant or find natural treatments. However, the reason I talk about it frequently is because it's often seen as part of an atopic-allergic-depression triad. Basically, allergic and atopic individuals often suffer from depression as well. While, it's not difficult to understand why this is the case, there is no medical consensus on whether depression is caused by the effects of being allergic/atopic or if there is some deeper correlation.

Presently, it doesn't really matter whether it's an effect or another symptom. The fact is that it happens and while there is a lot discussion about how to physically protect and treat allergic/atopic individuals, there is very little said on how to mentally help them. Depression isn't always about being suicidal, but it can still be very debilitating in its silence.

If you are an atopic and/or allergic person or if you are the parent of one, please think about how this might impact you or the person you care for. If it does, talk to your family doctor. Just as you would request an allergist, immunologist or dermatologist, ask to consult with a psychiatrist or certified therapist.

For more information, please speak with your family doctor or contact your local mental health organisation. In Canada:
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Canadian Mental Health Association 
Health Canada - Mental Health