Try different approaches to tackle mental illness

Steven Knudsen, Morgantown
In the past few weeks, we have been saddened by the loss due to suicide of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. Both were people who lived in the limelight and faced aging.
Someday, we’ll learn more, but for now we realize that as we get older, we slow down a bit and let the kids shine. The Dominion Post recently discussed the role stigma plays in preventing people from getting help. As our society has learned more about depression and anxiety and provided more resources to help, the stigma of mental illness has lessened.
It’s time for people to persevere in getting help in spite of stigma. This may take the form of calling a suicide hotline, or asking a friend for help in getting a therapist. In referring to treatment, one can refer them to a psychiatrist as a doctor.
Or, even, one could refer to having a “lifestyle coach” because changing one’s lifestyle along with medication and therapy/counseling is what is needed to tackle mental illness.