le journal bilingue de Glendon | Glendon’s bilingual newspaper
Issue Six - Volume 55 - February 1, 2017
In This Issue: Vie étudiante: Q&A with Glendon alumni, and francophones want more opportunities to speak French!
Arts and Entertainment: A film review, and a book review–about film!
Metropolis: Pop up restaurants, architecture, and tips for apartment hunting in the city.
Issues and Ideas: The urgent need for more homeless shelters in Toronto, and what ever happened to an electoral reform?
Health
and
Let’s Talk Mental Health
Wellness:
Glendon students open up about mental health issues.
Expressions: Learning to
love your accent, and the power of your own voice.
Les prochaines dates limites: le 3 février le 17 février
Hazel Garde Contributor Bell Let’s Talk, held annually on January 25, is an event that is very close to my heart. The name says it all; it is an invitation for the world to discuss mental illness and health with the goal of erasing the stigma that remains. I suffer from anxiety. An anxiety disorder is a medical condition characterized by persistent, excessive worry. The anxiety can be so distressing that it interferes with a person’s ability to think, feel and act, as well as function properly and take pleasure in day-to-day life. I have acute anxiety, which means that I do not feel chronically anxious, or worry about raising my hand in class, for example. For those with acute anxiety, when it hits, it hits hard. Most days I am absolutely fine, though some days I overthink an unanswered text to the point of exhaustion. Crying is my outlet as I am a sensitive and emotional person. What is frustrating is that the worry is irrational, and I am
completely aware that it is irrational and thus unnecessary. It is hard sometimes, I’ll admit it. But I have learned tools and gained perspective over the years. I also know that some are fighting a daily battle worse than mine, and my heart goes out to those brave souls. In my experience, society has definitely improved in how they react to mental illness. If I open up to someone about my condition, their response is often that they are familiar with some of the symptoms because someone close to them suffers from issues such as depression or anxiety. However, if I fall apart in front of someone and struggle to explain why, I still feel the need to apologize for the way I’m acting, and I can’t help but think that I am burdening even those who are closest to me. Though the stigma has lessened, it is still present. People tend to be intimidated by things they are unfamiliar with, particularly things as confusing and unpredictable as mental illness. Bell Let’s Talk is wonderful in that it helps to familiarize people with symptoms, cop-
ing mechanisms, and ways to help loved ones. When you are feeling down, there is honestly nothing you want to hear more than a simple “I understand and I support you.” Word is spreading about different forms of mental illness and people are becoming more comfortable around the subject, which absolutely warms my heart. There are many existing movements that benefit young adults who might have otherwise suffered in silence. In twelfth grade, I had the opportunity to take a mental health class called Compass, which was created by several of my school’s teachers and guidance counsellors, and focused on coping strategies for academic and personal success. The class had a very positive and supportive atmosphere and we shared experiences, set goals, and reflected on our personal achievements. Compass really helped me to outline and monitor my strengths and weaknesses, and I felt mentally stronger after having taken the course. (continued on page 13)