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Laura has lived with anxiety for as long as she can remember and has experienced depression at different points throughout her life, but by opening up and reaching out for help, she found the support she needed to transform her mental health. She now helps others by speaking openly about her journey, letting them know they’re not alone and raising awareness of the resources available, like the free mental health support offered by CMHA Windsor-Essex. |
Why do you think it’s so important that we push for better mental health in Canada right now?
Our lives are so consumed by never ending to-do lists, and the demands of day-to-day obligations and responsibilities that we often set our own mental health low in our priorities. Pushing for better mental health is so important so less of us feel like we’re drowning in our own isolated lives.
We all have so much in common but not enough people are comfortable starting a conversation about the challenges they’re facing; those open discussions about mental health are where someone might find peace and a sense of community. Realizing they are not alone in their thoughts or struggles might be the realization they need to bring their mental health to the forefront and offer it some attention.
Have you experienced any mental health challenges in your own life?
I have struggled with anxiety for as long as I can remember, went through various bouts of depression and, as anticipated with my history, faced post-partum anxiety and depression after having my children. I still get intrusive thoughts occasionally, but I am grateful for the tools and support around me to cope with those moments.
How did going through mental health challenges impact your day-to-day life?
In the midst of dealing with any of my mental health challenges I always felt like I was the only person in the world who could be feeling the way I did, and often that I had no right feeling that way – so often I heard myself say that someone else is going through so much worse! This mentality left me feeling embarrassed and lonely. I wouldn’t want to do anything social in fear of “bringing other people down” but I didn’t want to be alone with my thoughts either.
What did you find to be most helpful in supporting you to manage your mental health and/or recovery?
Opening up was the hardest but most helpful part. Realizing I needed more support than I could offer myself and actually asking/ reaching out for it, showed me that there were people in my life who could validate the feelings I had, that I wasn’t alone, and that if I put in the effort to help myself, I might be able to help others too.
Why do you believe it’s important that we fundraise to support CMHA’s work in the mental health space?
We can’t stop talking about mental health. The thing I realize every time mental health comes up in a conversation, is that everyone is at a different stage in their journey. This means that there is ALWAYS someone needing to be validated for the first time.
"We can’t assume that we did the work, we’ve talked about it, and people are well so the work is done. We have to continue making people aware of the mental health journey, aware of the resources available, so they too can become conversation starters themselves."
Why did you decide to sign up to The Push-Up Challenge in 2024?
I am not an athlete in any sense and this challenge was quite intimidating to be honest! I stood back and thought about how difficult dealing with mental health [issues] is and thought that if my doing something difficult might inspire someone else to start their own mental health journey, then it would be worthwhile.
If you could share a final message of your own around mental health with our community, what would that be?
Whatever you’re facing right now, however you’re feeling, know that your feelings are valid. Your journey will one day be able to help someone else begin their own and that person needs you.
