Sickboy: Chronic Depression at 19
Depression is one of those illnesses that is unfortunately wracked with unspeakable amounts of stigma. We are so incredibly grateful for Shannon to come into our studio and shoot the shit with us for over an hour about her struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts.
One of my favourite mantras in life is "Life will always be beautiful again" - Check out Shannon's blog post that really hammers this fact home.
- Jer
There may come a time where you feel hopeless beyond belief, but I can promise you, there will also be moments of pure euphoria. That is the blessing of depression and the general trials and tribulations everyone experiences in life. If you grant yourself the opportunity to witness it, there will always be another day, another sunrise, another moment of happiness and gratitude. Living with chronic depression and anxiety has clouded a large portion of my days with some very gloomy weather, but my strength comes from knowing that eventually, there will be sun. I have lived with mental illness for six years now. At times, I did not believe I would make it this far, at times I simply did not want to; but here I am. A university student, a traveler, a lover, a volunteer, a sister, a beauty guru, an aspiring yogi, a mental health advocate, a resilient young woman. I stand here today proud of the choice I have made on countless occasions not to take me own life and I say this knowing the deepness of the pain that comes with mental illness. On those countless occasions I have been pulled back from the edge by the smallest of things. A call to my boyfriend, a trip to the ocean, reading my favourite book, an emergency visit from my sisters, a knock on my bedroom door, or somehow managing to find the humour in the ridiculousness of the situation. So, if you are ever in need of the smallest of things, to pull you back from the edge, know that there are people in your life who are there for you. If you can't think of anyone, know that I am here, I offer you my empathy, ears, and email, shannon.barry@dal.ca.
- Shannon Barry