breathe now: it's ok to talk about it

Airdrie Miller • Blogger: talkingtoair.com• airdrie@gmail.com• Twitter: @airdrie_miller• Vancouver, B.C.

My Story: 1990

1995

Married Derek K. Miller (www.penmachine.com)

1998Marina Miller born.

2000Meredith Miller born

The face of depression.

World Health Organization definition of mental health:“a state of well being in which the individual realizes his or her own

abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”

Let’s talk about the statistics

• 20% of Canadians will suffer from a mental illness in their lifetime.

• 8% will suffer a major depression• 1% will suffer bipolar disorder (“manic depression”• 1% will be diagnosed with Schizophrenia.

How many friends do you have of Facebook? Twitter? Apply these statistics to them. Mental illness does not discriminate.

2003: Desperate Housewife

Merry fucking Christmas!

inpatient

outpatient

balance

With help I became healthy, strong and resilient.

2007 Derek gets Cancer

May 3, 2011

Life can turn you upside down.

Mental illness is real, and it is treatable.

Not only is it OK to talk about it, talking about it is an important step in achieving mental health.

Share this message with your children.

Resources

Moods Magazine Esperanza Magazine