Depression, PTSD, & You Are Not Alone

We all either experience mental health issues ourselves or support a family member, friend, or colleague in their recovery journey. Mental health conditions are affecting everyone, from young children to seniors, with loneliness being a major factor for both. There are countless opportunities to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and to improve access to care.

I was saddened to hear about Jason Kander and his family today. Recently, I met with two mayoral candidates—Phil Glynn and Jason—to discuss what Kansas City could and should be doing to support those struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health issues. I deeply understand and empathize with the weight and stress mental health disorders place on a family. Mental health is much more complex than a broken arm that can be set and healed in a predictable timeframe. The symptoms are often erratic and unpredictable, with self-diagnosis and self-medication being common early paths in the disease. It’s incredibly difficult to watch those you care about struggle.

At the same time, I am encouraged to see more people, like Jason, choosing to discuss their mental health challenges openly. It’s 2018, and still, millions suffer in silence, facing a difficult journey for many to understand. I’ve written about recovery from addiction and mental health issues that affect over 40 million Americans. Yes, 40 million of us are either in recovery or seeking it—that’s a significant voting constituency worth considering if you’re running for office.

In recovery, I’ve listened to countless stories from people drowning in shame and fear because of the stigma surrounding mental health. Society often treats mental health struggles as signs of weakness, which only reinforces that stigma. Today, Jason Kander—former Missouri Secretary of State, Army Veteran, and Kansas City mayoral candidate—showed incredible courage by stepping away from his campaign to focus on his mental health, including depression and PTSD. I wish Jason and his family all the best as they embark on the journey of understanding, treating, and supporting his mental health. To the Kander family: if there’s anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Supporting each other is what makes our community stronger.

Two powerful sayings come to mind: “We do recover” and “We do survive.” I had the honor of hearing these words repeatedly during my recent trip to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, for the first-ever Sober Music Festival, Recovery Fest. Over 8,000 people from around the country came together to celebrate recovery and to share their stories. It wasn’t just about substance use disorder—people were recovering from depression, PTSD, sexual abuse, and more. We spent the evening advocating, remembering those we’ve lost, and celebrating the gratitude of those who’ve survived. Governor Gina Raimondo even stopped by to encourage us to keep fighting for ourselves and for others in recovery. It was inspiring to hear that Rhode Island saw a reduction in overdose deaths last year.

The festival started with Livingston Taylor’s moving rendition of “God Bless America,” reminding me of the power of open recovery. Open recovery requires tremendous courage—it’s about asking for help, publicly. It means pulling back the curtain and allowing others to see what’s happening inside. Unfortunately, some people don’t know how to respond to this vulnerability, so they pull away. It doesn’t feel good, but it happens often. In my experience, those who withdraw are often overwhelmed or ill-equipped to handle the emotional weight and retreat until they feel safe enough to re-engage. This is why a strong support network is crucial for recovery.

The more we choose to suffer and recover openly, the more we give hope to those still in the shadows. It shows that “normal” people need help, too, and that appearances don’t always reflect the whole story. We all need help from someone, so please don’t hesitate to ask for it.

-Bryan