Wheel of fortune

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Wheel of Fortune – a game of letters, always unknowing, and a giant wheel that keeps spinning. The same can be said for our lives. Life goes in cycles; there are good times, when you feel like you can take on the world and bad times, when you feel like you can’t get out of bed.

*SPIN*

“D!”

Mental illness wasn’t spoken about – it was just an elephant in the room.

Yes, there are downs. Mental illness entered my life when I was a teenager. My mom explained to me that she had depression and anxiety, and my dad explained to me that he had schizophrenia. I was confused. What does that mean? Is my mom sad all the time? Does my dad have multiple personalities à la Jim Carey in Me, Myself, and Irene? A common misconception, I learned. I was embarrassed to tell my friends. My parents weren’t happy, I wasn’t happy, and times were tough and confusing. Our household wasn’t a positive place as mental illness wasn’t spoken about – it was just an elephant in the room that would hopefully find its way back to the wild.

*SPIN*

“I’d like to buy a vowel, U!”

Yes, there are ups. My parents went back to work.  They educated themselves about their illnesses, the symptoms that their respective mental health issues caused, and how to mitigate these symptoms in their day to day lives. By reaching out to the support systems available in their community, such as their family physicians and even just family and friends, they were able to find ways to cope and to live with their illnesses. Our household evened out and became a happy place with no elephants. They learned so much about themselves and to this day continue to live life to the fullest. Likewise, I was happy. I went off to university and educated myself on mental illness in order to help as many people as possible, and I continue to do so.

Our household evened out and became a happy place with no elephants.

*SPIN*

“D!”

Yes, there can be more downs. Fast forward to second-year university. Things were running smoothly – good grades, good friends. Then it hit me: frantic thoughts, heart palpitations, tingles, panic. What was going on? Hospital visits, counselling, avoiding society for fear of panic attacks. Missing work, skipping classes and avoiding friends and family members. I turned to alcohol and drugs to try and manage my symptoms.  The next few years were scary and confusing. What was happening inside my body and my head? Is this what my mom was facing? How was I going to be able to cope with my symptoms and still try and be happy?

*SPIN*

“R!”

Resilience. I told everyone about my feelings. I even told my cat. I found that there were lots of other people that had the same symptoms and thoughts as me. I rationalized, I challenged myself, and when I stopped avoiding people, I found a way back onto the upside of the wheel. Tough times affect all of us. Sometimes it may feel like the wheel hasn’t spun in years, or it has spun too many times in one day. However, it is our reactions that distinguish who we are as individuals. You may land on the downside of the wheel, but the wheel will eventually land on the upside. Being able to harness your mental struggles will prepare you for life’s woes, and will also make you stronger.

It is okay to be pushed in a new direction.

You must accept that there will always be ups and downs in your life. There must be bad in order for there to be good. This provides the contrast and perspective you need to be able to recognise how lucky you are when the good times come. So, when you wake up and can go outside and walk in the sunshine, enjoy the benefits but do not become complacent because things can change. When times are bad and you feel empty, withdrawn and scared to go outside, do not be discouraged, because even when things seem their worst, it simply suggests that the wheel will spin again.

You don’t have to stand still and accept what life hands you. You can take an active approach to try and remain on the upside of the wheel. When things are down, instead of waiting and hoping for things to get better, work actively towards improving yourself. There are many mental health communities within reach, like the website you’re on right now. Look into your school for education, guidance, and counselling, or your neighbourhood for grassroots services and club houses. Physical exercise is great for the mind and body; taking a walk or a hike will focus your mind elsewhere. Do not be discouraged when facing adversity; it is natural and necessary to grow and learn.

It is okay to be pushed in a new direction; just know that every path leads somewhere, even if it is unknown. Such events are simply out of your control, and if you can accept that and stay positive, then the trip gets a lot easier. Remember, it’s not always about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain.