- Mental Health
Raquel’s story is about spreading the word about mental health. World Mental Health Day is celebrated each year with the color yellow and a sunflower as a symbol. But in this age of pink and red ribbons and numerous causes, this one can easily get lost in the shuffle.
That’s a shame because it’s a problem that touches everyone. You can’t walk the earth and not be affected by someone who suffers from an addiction, and a high percentage of those battling addiction or in recovery have a co-occurring mental health disorder. It’s so prevalent and many people aren’t getting help.
That’s why it’s important for us to spread the awareness that it’s okay if you or someone you love suffers from an addiction. There is help available, and we can each make a difference by offering support to those we know in recovery. Addiction often runs parallel to depression. In both cases, getting up in the morning is hard. Raquel had a mother who suffered from depression. She didn’t drink but she definitely suffered from depression. “I grew up thinking it’s normal for your mom not to get out of bed all day,” Raquel recalls. “Now that I’m older, I see how different my life could have been if she had received help.”
She also has a nephew who is currently battling addiction. She can’t help but think that if he had the support of others around him, he’d find it easier to get help. “He has to overcome this stigma,” she says, addressing a common barrier that keeps many people from seeking treatment for an addiction. “We all have to do the work to support him in his journey. It’s not just about him getting help. Family and friends are just as big of a part of that treatment.”
For Raquel, she’s lending her support to her friend Catherine, who started the International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression (IFRED). So much of the discussion around addiction and depression has been somber, and Raquel and Catherine hope to change that. “Success depends on the whole support system getting treatment,” Raquel says. “You have to adjust the environment for someone coming out of treatment and heading into recovery. It’s imperative that we look at how we’re supporting family and friends. And I feel very blessed that I have friends in recovery that teach me about their journeys and show me how I can support them.”