According to a recent press release from Canada Post, for the first time in its history a stamp was issued based on a public vote.
As much as voting for a stamp design was News, we were even more suitably impressed that the subject matter for this first-ever event centred around mental health for Canadians. Over 300 designs were submitted and just shy of 300,000 votes were cast. Our many statements over the years that a brighter light needs to shine on such issues seems to have gone main-stream.
That is good News, too.
For far too long the truth about mental health, or better yet, the reality of mental health issues, has remained elusive.
We figure there is a significant amount of suffering, whether it relates to troubles at work, school or home. Each of us confronts problems every week that could lead to a larger problem or that could be a turning point for a breakdown of sorts. One thing is for sure: we all meet people that could do with a hug rather than a scolding or an awkward glance.
Much of the work provided by caregivers and thoughtful members of our community amounts to helping people in need cope or manage their situations. That, of course, is easier said than done since a person needing assistance may not wish help, and might not even think something is wrong.
Over the years we have tried to assist dozens of people who were down on their luck, suffering from some depression or dealing with some pretty big challenges. Numerous times the net reward has been seeing the person get back in the swing of things. Other times problems were far larger than what a kind ear could heal.
While it is hard to give up helping others, there are times when a trained professional is required. It is good that much of the stigma associated with mental health has gone by the wayside.
The simple fact is everyone cannot always feel great all the time, but with a bit of experience and learned skills we can manage those rough times. That, of course, comes out of appreciating mental health issues as very natural, common maladies with varying degrees of severity.
Regrettably, one of the larger demons to visit families is an untimely death, by one’s own hands. Suicide remains a mystery but a reality that affects so many of us far too often. People will suggest if only they knew the despair they would have tried to help, but it is not that easy.
While most of us recognize the bigger issue names like schizophrenia, bi-polar or manic behaviour, suicide is the one outcome that makes so little sense (could things really be that bad?). Unfortunately for the people so inclined, they believe it to be that bad, and much help is needed to bring them back from that feeling. Perhaps that is where mental health becomes such a tough subject, because feelings are so hard to comprehend.
Since 2008, Canada Post has raised nearly $1 million from the sale of mental health stamps.
We encourage readers to purchase this year’s stamp and advance a cause that affects Canadians each year.
