Award-winning Canadian broadcaster Valerie Pringle readily recalls the moment at which she felt the deepest admiration for her daughter. It was several years ago, when Catherine Pringle, now 28, went back to work after taking time off to deal with anxiety and panic attacks. Her employer wasn't aware of her illness, and Catherine wasn't sure if she should disclose it.
"Catherine asked us, 'What do I tell them?'" says Valerie, who has three children. "Her father said, 'Tell them the truth.' She did, and today she will stand up and tell people, 'This is something I live with.' Her dad and I have never been more proud of her."
Sadly, not enough people speak up about mental illness because they fear how others will perceive them. Reports show that almost half of those who say they have experienced depression or anxiety have never talked to a doctor about it. And only half of Canadians surveyed said they would tell a friend or coworker they have a family member with a mental illness. At the same time, 72 per cent would openly discuss cancer or diabetes in their family.
Valerie and Catherine – who are both advocates for mental health and have shared their story with the public – want change. "Mental health has lived in the shadows for way too long," says Valerie. "People don't talk about it. But we have to open up, be sympathetic, understanding and look at the reality of this illness – it's everywhere."
Here, three more Canadian women bravely share their inspiring stories of facing down mental illness and finding a renewed sense of hope, joy and inner peace in their lives.
"Lying on my yoga mat is such a peaceful place to be. I am calm within minutes."
By Kelly Giddings as told to Astrid Van Den Broek
You need to come live with us." That's the first thing my brother-in-law, Robert, said last Christmas, after taking just one look at me. It was December 2008 and my mother and I had travelled from our home in Sudbury, Ont., to celebrate the holidays with my sister, Leslie, and her husband at their place in Ottawa. I was 26 and had been having a really hard time for awhile. Leslie and Robert could see my pain, that I was going downhill quickly.
Looking back, my journey with mental illness began around the time my dad died, in February 2003. His death left me feeling numb for at least six months. That fall I went back to university in St. Catharines, Ont., but I wasn't able to function and I was binge drinking. My mom picked me up and brought me home to Sudbury. But things just got worse. Mom tried to help, but I was in this terrible head space and pushed her away.
I'd wake up in the morning and feel this pain, this weight. I'd lie in bed and cry and wonder, How am I supposed to get through the day? I got so anxious that my heart would speed up and my breathing would become shallow.
A year after my dad's death, I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and general anxiety disorder, and was given medications. I saw a psychiatrist, counsellors and social workers, but it didn't feel like any of my treatments were really working.
Page 1 of 4 – Learn what techniques and therapies worked for Kelly in finding a road to recovery on page 2.
