When Clara Hughes won Olympic medals again in Vancouver Canadians were so proud they would gladly have elected her Prime Minister. When she gave away ten thousand dollars to Right to Play we would have added sainthood.Clara is getting ready for the Olympics again even though she is already a rarity, having won medals at both summer and winter games. She is a star and a tremendous human being.She is also in the news as a spokesperson for mental health. To her great credit she has been open about going through depression in the two years after her first Olympic success. Here is someone with skill, success, and huge public approval who had trouble getting out of bed in the morning.
Mental illness and depression does not respect wealth or status. One of my favourite radio personalities, Shelagh Rogers, has dealt with serious depression. Margaret Trudeau, ex-wife of the late PM, has written about her battle with bipolar illness. There are professional athletes who have taken their own lives.
In every congregation I have served there have been folk who have struggled at work, been hospitalized and in some instances died by suicide because of mental illness.
There are also stories of recovery and returning to balanced living. Kudos to Bell for sponsoring the latest campaign (a little phone company play-on -words for you.) Once again I hope and pray that the stigma is lifting and that we treat one another with Christ's compassion.
Any response to Clara Hughes' initiative? Other thoughts?
5 comments:
I like what I see happening in the media re bringing attention to mental illness. Obviously more needs to be done, but I think we are on the right path. Apparently there was a very good interview on CBC with Clara Hughes and many other well knowns,that was very well done. I missed it, but will be looking for a repeat of the show.
I did my bit with Bell - made a long distance phone call last night. Good for them!
Great story, good insight, terrible pun.
When celebrities who have suffered from depression go public about it, hopefully it helps those who are currently suffering from it to get the help they need.
I really appreciated watching TV personality Michael Landsberg talking openly about his battles. It can't be an easy thing to do in front of a national audience.
That was a great campaign by Bell, and Clara Hughes has to be one of the most gutsy Canadians ever! What a superb role model! Are you paying attention Brittany/Lindsey/Gaga ect.....
Was pleased to hear my grade 7 daughter talking about a program at their school for intermediate students. They had guest speakers who shared their journey of living with mental illness and a couple of kids went to Ontario Shores for a full day program, and they have plans to further share what they learned with the others, on an ongoing basis. The Board initiative is called T.A.M.I. (talk about mental illness) and talking to a VP that attended the teacher's workshop that he was grateful to have the teachers/staff a little better equipped to recognize and support their students on their journey.
Nice to see the media using its reach for good, and large corporations also.
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