Trigger Warning: Depression; Mental Illness
This year, Bell Let's Talk Day does not look the same at RMC: no pre-practice photoshoots; no writing messages on posters; no Bell Let's Talk game, where opponents join together as one team to support better mental health for all.
Like everything during the 2020-21 season, Bell Let's Talk Day is different.
As we all do our best to remain connected virtually throughout the persistent COVID-19 pandemic, now is the perfect time to hear from one of our leaders at the College, who talks openly about the importance of maintaining our mental health.
Deputy Commandant at RMC, Capt(N) Troy Richard lives with depression and anxiety.
"I've experienced the profound sadness and numbness associated with my depression," he said. "The loss of joy, the loss of self-confidence and low self-esteem, guilt, sense of being overwhelmed, over-active brain and thoughts – I don't want to experience those things again and I want to help others to avoid those feelings."
Discussing his mental health journey openly is one of the techniques Capt(N) Richard uses to maintain his mental wellness.
"Coming to RMC, I've been open with my colleagues and with my boss," he said. "I share my mental health journey openly because it helps me and I want to help others, but it took me some time to get to that place."
When he first experienced the symptoms of mental illness, he was not as open about it as he is now. Capt(N) Richard understands the weight of the stigma surrounding mental illness first-hand and the importance of mental health initiatives, such as Bell Let's Talk, which seek to eliminate it.
"If someone has a broken arm, they generally have no issues in sharing how they broke their arm, how long the cast will be on, what exercises they are doing to strengthen their arm, etc., yet we remain in a place where people are unwilling or are hesitant to share some details about their mental challenges or illness," he said. "I initially fed the stigma. Deep down, I knew I was having issues, but I did not share. I bottled it up, tried to hide it, I guess thinking that it would all just magically fix itself."
Without help, his mental illness did not resolve itself; however, a time came when he reconciled with the position he was in, and opened the door to healing.
"Discussing mental health openly, I think, allows us to convey that we are not alone," Capt(N) Richard said. "When I opened up, even just a little bit, it was the start of me getting help."
On the road to improving his mental health, Capt(N) Richard took part in a number of activities that he found helpful, including exercise, walks with his dog, Winnie, and hot yoga.
"When I was in my deep depression in 2019, hot yoga helped immensely," he said. "It taught me to settle the brain, focus on breathing, and get a good sweat. COVID has meant that I've not been able to do this, but I miss it and look forward to being able to continue with it."
While the Officer and Naval Cadets at RMC have access to resources when they need help managing their mental health – such as the member assistance program, health services through the CDU, the College Padres, and more – Capt(N) Richard also encourages people at both ends of the Chain of Command to be part of a solution for better mental health within the CAF.
"The chain of command should be there to support you," he said. "A supervisor who is attuned to members of their team should note if someone is not quite themselves or may need help. Hopefully they then check in to see if someone needs some support, or guidance, or just a listening ear."
"Trust is contagious. We need leaders and supervisors who will observe, listen, care, support, encourage and not judge. This builds trust and sets the conditions for someone to share and seek help."
Click here for a complete list of emergency and support services at RMC
As the Deputy Commandant models the behaviour we need to see in our current and future leaders, he also shared messages of encouragement and solidarity with RMC's Officer and Naval Cadets.
"You are not alone," Capt(N) Richard said. "If you are experiencing some mental health challenges or have a mental illness, you are not alone. You are never alone. There are resources available and people who care about you and who want you to be healthy and succeed."
"I am proof positive that one can go through a difficult experience and can come through the other side. I was open and honest with the organization, and the organization in response offered all the support and encouragement I needed. For that, I am ever grateful."
Beyond the confines of the College and the CAF, Capt(N) Richard recognizes the importance of support networks in maintaining our mental health, be they filled with family, friends, teammates or classmates.
"I like to hope that everyone has at least one person that they feel comfortable with to share just about anything – to say 'hey, do you have a minute,' or 'I am not quite myself today,' or 'I need help.'"
On Bell Let's Talk Day and beyond, let's follow Capt(N) Richard's example to ask for help when we need to, and to be that listening ear when we're strong enough to help others.
