John Reflects on Life-Saving Mental Health Care Made Possible Thanks to You

When 73-year-old John looks back on his experience at Victoria Hospital, he could not have predicted that this chapter of his life would one day form the basis for a book outlining his fall into deep depression and the resources he used to get out of depression and stay mentally healthy.

It all began in 1976, when John was working as an insurance underwriter. His performance at work had begun to decline, and his friends noticed he was becoming more isolated. He found himself experiencing bouts of anxiety for no apparent reason.

“I stopped caring about things,” said John. “I just felt numb.”

John ultimately took a leave of absence from his role, during which time he backpacked around Europe for three and a half months. He sought help from a psychiatrist before this trip, but didn’t feel his anxiety was being addressed.

Over time, John began to feel like himself again. He moved to Saskatchewan for a few years and got married. From 1978-2001, he enjoyed a highly successful career as a group insurance salesperson. But by the early 2000s, the symptoms he had experienced in the late 70s had started to resurface. He began to see a psychiatrist at Victoria Hospital, who was finally able to provide him with a diagnosis: clinical depression.

John was feeling increasingly anxious and frequently sought assistance from a help line for his dark thoughts – until one day, it all became too much.

“A lot of people don’t understand the pain that comes with depression. I really thought there was no way out of this.”

John’s wife recognized he needed help and brought him to Victoria Hospital, where he would stay from September 19 to October 31, 2002. He started meeting with a psychologist at the hospital, and their conversations led him to important self-discoveries about his childhood and family. His psychiatrist started him on a new medication, which finally helped him manage the symptoms he was experiencing.

John’s stay at Victoria Hospital was a real turning point in his journey.

“This hospital saved my life,” said John emphatically.

He recalls the care from the psychiatric nurses fondly, as they encouraged him to make a plan for his well-being. The plan he developed has been a cornerstone of his ability to maintain good mental health from that point onward.

“When they retire, they should be given a gold medal,” said John. “Because they deserve it. They played a huge role in helping me uncover the psychological issues that were stirring in me. I looked forward to their visits every night because I felt like there was going to be someone who would listen without judgment and offer suggestions.”

John is grateful for the support of donors like you towards the hospital’s Mental Health program.

“Donor support is vital to keep what’s going, going, and to be able to expand services and educate people.”

In the years since he left the hospital, John has experienced ups and downs, but his experience has given him a new-found sense of purpose. He volunteers regularly with a local Rotary club and has been a public speaker with Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba. He also published Rise Above: Surviving Depression and Living a Better Life, his story of growth and learning while living with depression.

“Human beings need a purpose,” said John. “Those who have a purpose are more likely to live a fulfilled life. I feel that my purpose is to educate the public. Life is good because I feel that I am making a difference.”

To learn more about John’s journey, visit his website at JohnMelnick.ca.