Let's Talk About Depression

I love Bell's Let's Talk initiative for a bunch of reasons. The first is that throughout the day, Bell contributes five cents from every long-distance call, text and official retweet from their customers toward mental health. The second is because Bell actually accomplishes its other goal - to get people talking about mental health. The third is because they focus on the "health" part of this condition, not the illness part. It's about starting a conversation, creating awareness and getting rid of the stigma associated with the condition.

I've posted before about depression as an integral part of the atopic-allergic triad (World Mental Health Day, Mental Health Week). Whatever the link, it's not something to be ignored. As a child, teenager or adult with multiple atopic and allergic conditions, it's almost unfathomable that one wouldn't experience some dark times and some dark thoughts. However, how many times is depression really discussed as part of medical treatment? It should be and if you or someone you care for has multiple allergic or atopic conditions, I encourage you to discuss this with your doctor.

Today is a great day to start having that conversation with others. If you're the one suffering silently, don't. You are certainly not alone and there is nothing wrong with having depression. There is something wrong with not getting help. If you are the parent, partner or friend of someone with allergies and atopy and you think that they're depressed, start this discussion. Let them know you're there to talk and offer support if they decide to seek professional treatment.

No one who understands atopic conditions or allergies would tell someone with either (or both) to "buck up and get over it". Allergies and atopy don't work that way. Neither does depression. Allergies and atopy can require medication, treatment and in the case of eczema even behavioural modification. Depression is no different. It requires care, treatment and understanding.

So, start talking.