Starting
this fall, Lakehead University is holding lectures on a variety of
topics here at the Thunder Bay Public Library. The first one,
“Dealing with Depression: A Family Perspective,” will be held in
the Waverley Auditorium on October 5. This lecture is presented by
Dr. Josephine Tan, a clinical psychologist at Lakehead University who
studies depression, women’s health and multicultural psychology.
Dr. Tan’s lecture will focus on recognizing and helping your loved
ones cope with depression. But if you are eager to delve into
the subject right now, why not stop by the library? Particularly
helpful are the books written by people sharing their own stories of
depression. These books show that you are not alone when dealing with
either your own or a loved one’s depression.
For
most of us looking in, the world of celebrities can appear glamorous.
But many celebrities hide their bleak inner world behind their
smiles, much like Amanda Beard confesses in her book, In
the Water They Can’t See You Cry: a Memoir.
Beard is an Olympic gold medalist and model who suffered clinical
depression; her memoir is a very frank, personal look at her fame.
Another athlete who conquered addiction and depression is Margo
Talbot, who talks about her journey through depression in All
That Glitters: a Climber’s Journey through Addiction and
Depression.
Joe Pantoliano recounts his own struggles in Asylum:
Hollywood Tales from My Great Depression: Brain Dis-Ease, Recovery,
and Being My Mother’s Son.
His book is rather different than the other two because he tackles
the subject with humour.
There
are many options if you would rather read about non-celebrities
instead. Will’s
Choice: a Suicidal Teen, a Desperate Mother, and a Chronicle of
Recovery
by Gail Griffith is all about Griffith’s struggle after her son,
Will, attempted suicide. An excellent read is Jan Wong’s Out
of the Blue: a Memoir of Workplace Depression, Recovery, Redemption
and, Yes, Happiness.
Wong was a journalist who became depressed after a backlash to one of
her stories. Her book takes a look at workplace stress, something
that many of us can relate to.
If
you don’t want to read a book focussed on just one person, the
library has several options. On
the Edge of Darkness: Conversations About Conquering Depression
by Kathy Cronkite is a book filled with storied from celebrities who
have suffered through depression. You
Are Not Alone: Words of Experience and Hope for the Journey Through
Depression
by Julia Thorne is similar, but made up of the advice and experiences
of a variety of people who have experienced depression, not just
celebrities. My
Kind of Sad: What It’s Like to Be Young and Depressed
by Kate Scowen is the same type of book, but written for teens. It
has a lot of information on depression, but is interspersed with
teens sharing their stories. These books are great for helping you
understand what your depressed loved one is going through. As an
added bonus, these books can also help people currently experiencing
depression find the words to express themselves to their families,
opening communication for all.
The
library has many other books on depression, including books that give
a general overview of depression and ones that cover postpartum
depression. But please keep in mind that these books should never be
used in place of a health care professional’s advice. Please refer
to the list below for a listing of therapy and counselling services in Thunder Bay
should you or a loved one require some help.
If
you’re free on October 5, be sure to stop by the Waverley library
to listen to Dr. Tan’s “Dealing with Depression: A Family
Perspective” lecture. It starts at 2pm in the auditorium.
Shauna
Kosoris
Here
is a listing of therapy and counselling services available in Thunder
Bay:
·
Mental
Health Assessment Team – emergency services available from the
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
·
A
family physician or walk-in clinic physician can be consulted for a
referral to a mental health resource in the hospitals
·
Doctor
referral to Mental Health Outpatient Programs, St. Joseph Care Group
·
Student
Health and Counseling Centre – free
counseling for all LU students: located at UC 1007, (807) 343-8361
·
Thunder
Bay Counseling Centre: counseling for individuals, couples, and
families: (807) 684-1880 – fee for service
·
Thunder
Bay Crisis Response Service: (807) 346-8282
·
Self-referral
to any mental health professional in private practice (look up the
Yellow Pages under Psychologists
and Psychological Associates; Psychotherapy; or Marriage, Family &
individual Counselors)
– fee for service
·
More
information is available at Thunder Bay Canadian Mental Health
Association: (807) 345-5564
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