Let’s Talk Mental Health
I see you.
Each one of us has our own story, our own journey with mental health. And with a never-ending newscycle, horrific weather events, wars being waged and political nightmares, there has been a lot to throw us off our games. So this year, more than ever, I think it is important we not only acknowledge but get TALKING about our mental health. As health care providers we can get so caught up in our desire to serve and help others that we forget to take a moment to check in with ourselves and our colleagues. Take a second now. Check in.
Upon reflection, everything I am doing today, from owning my own practice to coaching others in healthcare, is a byproduct of my own battle with anxiety, panic attacks and burnout. The road has not been linear nor has it been pretty, but it has also allowed me to learn more about myself, my operating systems and the support I need to maintain long-term. (You can find more of my own story on the “about me” page)
In struggling with my own mental health, I know how easy it can be to think it’s “just you” or that everyone else “seems fine.” So today, I’ve enlisted some of the best and brightest in the health care industry (seriously they are all doing incredible things in this world so follow them!) to share their mental health stories and strategies. I appreciate their candidness and hope that wether you are a student, new graduate, or veteran and working in healthcare or otherwise, you can appreciate their honesty and openness. I am a firm believer that vulnerability breeds further vulnerability and the more we all share, the more we realize that we are not alone. You are not alone.
Dr. Ellie Somers, @thesisuwolf
Badass Physical Therapist, Run and Weightlifting Coach, Owner of Sisu Seattle
I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety when I was in college. This came in the form of excessive crying, self-harm, and general loss of interest in much of life. I sought help after some really difficult moments, and encouragement from my family, and started going to therapy. I was put on medications and it felt as though everything started to move forward again. I eventually transitioned off the medications and felt (mostly) stable for many years, until starting my business.
Starting Sisu, put me into a roller coaster of emotions that could change on the hour. I could wake up in the morning ready to tackle the world, excited and energized and end the day in a hump of feelings of failure and inadequacy. At first, I used exercise as my coping strategy. Generally speaking, exercise still works really well for me and my mental health, but sometimes I can't get motivated to do it or I just feel too down to engage in my work, my relationship or the world. For me, I work with a therapist most months of the year. I've gone short periods without my therapist, but truthfully, she's a part of my regular life these days and has been for many years.
In working with a therapist, I have felt as though my psychological and emotional coping skills have drastically improved. I think we're conditioned to think that we should be striving to be happy all day, every day. That if we're not, we're doing something "wrong." It's a toxic culture that tells us that sadness, anger, frustration, and shame are all "negative" or "ugly" emotions. In working with a therapist again, I have come to the powerful realization that all of these emotions aren't "negative," but rather they're completely normal.
In normalizing these feelings and emotional states, I have become less likely to see my current emotional state as a reflection of something I've done or NOT done. And while I still feel, and deal with feelings of anxiety, depression and inadequacy all of the time, the predominant tone for me is that I know I will be ok. That I HAVE strategies and that I can choose to implement them if/when is necessary.
With the work I've done independently and with my therapist, I would never expect myself to feel happy and fulfilled all day, everyday. Working and talking to a therapist has helped me to embody that, I'll be ok, even when I don't feel ok. This has been a drastic switch in my ability to stay present and go easy on myself when shit gets hard.
As a side bar, last year, I also cut WAYYYYY back on alcohol. I have had only a few alcoholic drinks in the last 5 months and I can say with confidence, this was a major contributor to my emotional volatility. Cutting out alcohol has left me feeling more relaxed, less anxiety and much more ready to take on each day.
Jennifer Hutton, @dr.jpop
Epic Pediatric Physical Therapist, Building Allyship Founder
I was diagnosed with ADD and a reading comprehension deficit when I was having difficulty with my board exams after physical therapy school. It had always taken a bit longer for concepts to sink in for me and I always studied long and hard to get good grades, so nobody ever caught it. But the dam broke with this exam. It was suggested that I get tested and when I got that diagnosis I remember being relieved. I worked with a psychologist for 3 months and she helped me understand that many of the issues with anxieties and overwhelm were linked to having ADD. She also took time to help me figure out the way my brain worked and the systems and behaviors I could put in place for more effective and efficient learning. The one part I struggled with was the decision that medication was one of the best courses of action. I thought I’d just need the medication to study for and pass boards so I stopped taking it afterward. Then when I started my first job, the anxiety and overwhelm surrounding all the job requirements was paralyzing. I went back into therapy and again was told the medication was a necessary piece of the puzzle. Since then I’ve been diligent with medication as well as learning how to create roles and spaces that work to my advantage. I’ve shared my story with as many people as possible in the hopes that it normalizes the mental health awareness conversation. What I initially viewed as a negative has become my superpower and I want that for all who hear my story.
Connor Massimo, @pulsephysioptbo
Tik-Tok Megastar, Physiotherapist, Co-Owner Pulse Physiotherapy
Being asked to write about my experience with mental health has been a challenge for me because I don’t feel like I have suffered from mental illness, at least, not in the way that many of my friends and family have. However, I have come to realize over this past year that mental health isn’t binary. It isn’t black or white. Mental health exists on a continuum – from being unhealthy to being healthy – and each of us resides somewhere along that spectrum.
I had a great childhood and grew up in a family with parents who were very supportive. I have an amazing wife and two beautiful, healthy children. I love what I do for a living and get excited about new challenges that my job provides. In other words, I have been extremely LUCKY! However, the past year has been a bit of a whirlwind.
I am beginning to realize that stress is stress. With so much on the go, I started to feel that the stress was piling up on me. I was too worried about work and was not making enough time for family or friends. Some days I felt like I was drowning, which is difficult for me to admit because I know that so many others are struggling much more than I was. What helped me through this challenging time was getting back to basics: quality time with my family, making time for exercise, writing down my goals and future plans to keep my thoughts organized. This relatively mild challenge in my life has given me a greater respect for what others struggle with on a daily basis – I am moving forward as a mental health ally with the goal of providing others with support in any way that I can.
Christa Gurka, @christagurka
Physical Therapist, Owner Pilates in the Grove, Brilliant Host of female emPOWERED Podcast
My first child was born on September 19, 2003 weighing it at a whopping 9 lbs 15 oz. He was perfect. I had no idea what was awaiting me in the very near future. After 48 hours my mood began to shift. I remember spending most of my days staring blankly at the walls..wishing they would just suck me in. I wouldn’t answer the door or the phone. I wouldn’t leave the house. I just lied on the couch…quiet and sullen as if off in a distant land. I really don’t remember much during this time period, but I do remember a feeling of disbelief. I remember being confused as to what I was feeling. Why would I go for days without showering or changing my clothes? And not even care about it? Why couldn’t I just snap out of it? Postpartum Depression had a hold of me that was more powerful than anything I had ever felt and it didn’t feel like it was going to let go anytime soon.
As I look back on that time in my life, I have a better understanding of the impact our mental health can have on our lives and the lives of those around us. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders rob us of our zest for life. They lie to us, and they lie really well. It’s hard not to believe the lies when we’re in the middle of it all. Depression and anxiety devoured my confident, joyous spirit and instead all that remained was an empty shell.
Over the last 18 years anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder has become my companions in life. On the outside I am a successful business owner, industry leader, wife, and mother. On the inside there are days that I struggle to stop ruminating thoughts, paralysing fear, anger and mania.
Thanks to an incredible therapist and the right dose of medication I have found a way to walk side by side with these “visitors” as I like to call them. I have learned to recognize them when they come to visit and retrain the strategies I once used to cope with them. I feel like I have found myself again. The joy, laughter and love are back in my life and I am simply happier.
Not everyone experiences depression or anxiety in the same way. Your symptoms may be more severe than mine, or they may be less severe. Either way, it is important for you to know that your pain is valid and you deserve to get relief. I hope my vulnerability gives you strength to share your story, ask for help and know you are not alone.
Maquise Swaby, @quiseswaby
Passionate Physiotherapy Resident, BBIPOC PT Collective Co-Chair
Imposter syndrome is something that every new grad physiotherapist experiences. By definition it can be described as, ‘the persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills.’
In experiencing this, there’s an overwhelming feeling of self-doubt and over analyzing your performance. Spending extra time researching, taking courses, and preparing for your clients the next day. It can be so easy to constantly question if you really deserve to be where you are. If you’re good enough? Will you overcome the obstacles that lie ahead? Or are you only here because of external factors?
Now add on the fact that I am a young black healthcare professional in a field with very little colleagues that look like me. In a field where there is little to no education regarding those with darker skin tones. In a field where, for some reason, there seems to be very few patients that look like me. It’s easy to fall into a hole of self-doubt, frustration or uncertainty.
With COVID-19, the inevitable lockdowns, protests, and demonstrations throughout the past year, many individuals are struggling with a second pandemic called mental health. Now, more than ever, it’s important to communicate with each other and seek help if necessary. What I’ve learned throughout the past couple of months, is that self-reflection and mental breaks are extremely important. Taking the time to do things you enjoy, interact with loved ones and reflect on your accomplishments and journey, are vital aspects in maintaining a healthy mindset.
There are some important things to remember:
It’s okay to ask for help/advice
You’re not a burden to others
Take time out of your day/week to do something you enjoy
Be open to finding a new hobby
Being your authentic self is more than enough
Nick Hannah, @hannahmoves
Physiotherapist, Canadian Celebrity, Dope Human
What a time we’re all living through right now. Hard to put into words. I wanted to share an experience I went through personally this year given the context of the global pandemic. It was a real wake up call and has changed me for the better.
Like many of you, when the world went into lock down mode, I was faced with a ton of uncertainty. (We humans just love uncertainty don’t we?)
I was juggling a ton in my head:
Would I have a job in a couple months?
When would I get to see my parents next?
How can I let half of my staff go?
Would the down payment on the house I just bought fall through?
How can I get all my patients switched over to virtual?
Should I put off projects I’ve been putting time, energy and money into?
…you get the idea.
And I’ll never forget this. I was in the middle of a virtual appointment, things seemingly fine, when suddenly out of nowhere: I got tunnel vision, my heart started racing and I could barely breathe. The last thing I remember about that awful moment was scrambling to tell my client: “I gotta go” before hitting the floor and just lying there, trying to catch my breath.
It was a panic attack.
I remember I called my fiancé immediately and she came to see me without hesitation to make sure I was all okay. Honestly team, it was EVERYTHING!
I’ve been fine since, but it just goes to show that nobody is immune to physical manifestations of stress, anxiety and overwhelm. And now I’m hyper aware of my own energy levels, my overall commitments and staying open with those closest to me. Having somebody to listen to me was the most important thing for me.
It is my hope that through sharing our stories everyone understands that mental health affects us all and is NOTHING to be ashamed about. These are all topics that need to be discussed the same way we discuss our physical health with clients each and every day.