Mental Health and Kevin Bieksa

I was thinking to myself the other day. I don't drive anymore, so in order to get to where I have to go, either I'm lucky and got a ride, or I'm taking the "Heel-toe express" to get from point A to point B. I've learned that on these walks, it's a great time to ponder whatever it is that I have to ponder.

I had seen an article on Grantland.com in Katie Baker's weekly column. She has linked to PPP before and while I'm certainly no expert in writing, I tend to, more often than not, enjoy her articles. This week she had written about the launch of Mindcheck.ca, an online resource that helps people learn to identify and seek help for the signs of drug abuse, anxiety and depression. Instrumental in the launch of the website was Kevin Bieksa of the Vancouver Canucks who was looking for a way to honour one of his best friends and former teamate Rick Rypien. There are multiple PSAs that he has filmed so far and this is just one of them:

If you can't watch the video here's the transcript.

"I'm the friend of someone who experienced depression. I know it isn't a choice. It's not a weakness, self-inflicted, or a result of not trying. Sometimes you just can't get over it and it won't just go away. Pretending it isn't happening doesn't help, talking about it does. Getting support early can make the difference. Helping someone we care about is not a burden. I pledge to learn the signs. I will not judge, I will have compassion, I will reach out, listen, talk, help and find help. My name is Kevin Bieksa, I will not stay silent. Add your voice at Mindcheck.ca"

It's people like him doing things like this that are going to go a long way in helping people recognize the signs of any issues they may have.

At the top of the article I had mention that I was thinking. Thinking about ways to get people to think about mental health and what they can do. Turns out Kevin Bieksa may have just done that job for me.