About one in five Canadians will experience a mental illness at some point during their lives, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association. However, the effects of mental illness reach not only those directly afflicted with these conditions, but family, friends and coworkers as well. Impacting people of all ages, educational levels, income backgrounds and cultures, depression is often hidden from others, typically because those suffering don't know how to properly cope with their symptoms.
Recently Alberta TV and radio personality Wade Sorochan spoke with Global TV in Edmonton about his own battle with depression that has spanned decades. He spent years hiding behind a personable facade on air, interviewing celebrities and making radio listeners laugh on his shows. Describing his pain as feeling like somebody just unplugged him, Sorochan talked about five major episodes during the span of his illness.
Sorochan recommended that those coping with mental illness should share their feelings with others, instead of growing isolated from the outside world. Far from being a character weakness, feelings of anxiety are amazingly common than most people think.
Those who are interested in helping people coping with depression, addiction issues and other mental illnesses can enroll in courses such as those in the Addictions and Community Services Worker program at Vancouver Career College. For more information on the school's healthcare programs, fill out the form on the right.