ssues & ideas EDITOR ROSEMARY NEWTON THE VOICE, THURSDAY, FEB. 18, 2016 7 When life's moods turn blue Depression sufferers come from an array of backgrounds and seek a variety of support VERONNICA MACKILLO 77° o: P photo illustration UBC researchers and mental health professionals say expectations of masculinity make it difficult for distressed men to come forward. Men face depression stigma Male sufferers tend to be less likely to seek professional help and support than women, a study finds OPTIONS for help By VERONNICA MACKILLOP recent UBC study showed that the stigma of depression among men makes it difficult for them to seek help. The study, led by UBC psychiatrist John Ogrodniczuk, surveyed 901 Cana- dian men and women, including those who had direct experience with de- pression and those who did not. The research found that men are more re- luctant than women to seek help for depression. “Barriers include not wanting to ap- pear weak or vulnerable, not knowing where to get help, and not wanting to appear that they aren’t independent,” said Ogrodniczuk via email. Ogrodniczuk said part of the prob- lem is social pressures on men to ap- pear masculine, and the belief that ex- pressing emotion does not fit into that perceived notion. “They feel they can’t reach out for help, because that’s not what men do,” he said. “I think at the core of any solu- tion is conversation.” Starting a conversation was the goal of Carson Kivari, who manages sup- port groups for college-aged men with depression run by of the Movember Canadaand UBC. “The language needs to be different at first when it comes to mental ill- ness,” said Kivari. “It’s a matter of not using language that could make men feel broken.” He said giving men the tools to fix their mental health is more effective than making them feel they need to be healed. In the sessions, he said conver- sations start when someone says some- thing that another member can relate to. “The stigma is shattered and men are doing the unthinkable, talking about their feelings,” he said. Tanner Scorgie, a 20 year-old man with depression, said that he would be hesitant to join a group focused on men’s mental health and thinks deal- ing with mental illness is uncomfort- able for both men and women. “T would like to, but groups are off- putting,” Scorgie said. “If the situa- tion was more relaxed and pleasant, I could see men wanting to deal with their problems.” The hardest part, according to Ki- vari, was getting men to join. “We had to start rewording it, and focusing on strength,” he said. “It’s a matter of not using language that could make men feel broken. Everyone is emotional at the core.” Counselling: cognitive-behav- ioural therapy or interpersonal therapy Anti-depressant medication Light therapy Herbal remedies Self-help for mild- depression, é.g. exercise Source: Canadian Mental Health Association Social centre connects lonely seniors REUBEN DONGALEN JR photo Left to right, program pals Yolanda Nicasio, Filomena Villarta, Debbie Ross and Cathy Taylor. South Vancouver seniors find support at local hub By REUBEN DONGALEN JR hood House’s Peer Support Pro- gram gives seniors new opportuni- ties to combat depression. The program is for seniors who are left alone in their homes. It provides social support, new activities—like arts and crafts—and physical exercises like dancing. The goal is to give partici- pants something to look forward to. For Yolanda Nicasio, the program provides an escape from the depres- sion she experienced after the passing of her husband a year and a half ago. “['m always depressed when I’m at home. I’m always stuck in my room, crying, sad about my husband,” she said. “But, when I come here, we’re al- ways having fun. We’re doing activi- ties, making friends. I don’t think about anything when I’m here.” Nicasio is joined during lunch pro- Te South Vancouver Neighbour- grams by fellow seniors Cathy Taylor, Filomena Villarta, and peer supporter Debbie Ross. They have developed a friendship despite being from different backgrounds and cultures. Ross, who supports Taylor, is thank- ful to the program for welcoming Tay- lor who had felt excluded in other so- cial situations due to a disability that limits her ability to communicate. “She didn’t feel involved and includ- ed in other places we’ve been too,” said Ross. “Here, everyone’s together, and I don’t have to force her to go out and talk. Everyone here makes an effort to communicate with her.” Nelson Didulo, chair of the South Vancouver Seniors Hub Council, be- lieves that the program creates an en- vironment for seniors who may strug- gle to find community elsewhere. “Whether they are from a different culture, or if they can’t communicate through the same language, there’s the peer support program to assist with that,” Didulo said. “Isolated seniors no longer feel alone. It’s like a second fam- ily.” Apps offer emotional rescue Mobile activities and games can act as ‘happiness’ reminders By NATALIE DUNSMUIR cell phone apps that help treat de- pression, but some experts say they shouldn’t be relied on as the only means of treatment. The apps, including Happify and Smiling Mind, connect people with doc- tors, include questionnaires to identify symptoms and offer interactive activi- ties and games focused on positivity— like one where users use a slingshot to blast negative words. They could help treat depression in college students, said Dr. Raymond Lam, head of clinical neuroscience in the department of psychiatry at the University of British Columbia. “That’s the generation of people that are very familiar with apps and are used to interacting via apps,” said Lam. Lam said this age group is also 66 the demographic most at-risk forde- J don’t pression. ° ° 4) “It’s a significant thin kit's issue at universi- going to Te an app for that. There are ties and colleges,” he said. rep lace Lam is lead de- Other treat- veloper of MoodFx, an online program men ts, that identifies Including symptoms and re- ° ary. minds users of doc- medica tors’ appointments. tion and Lam said apps are just part of the therap y solution. DR. RAYMOND “T don’t think it’s LAM going to replace upc other treatments, including medica- tions and therapy,” Lam said. Tim Charters, chair of counselling at Langara College, agrees. “Twouldn’t want it to be the only sup- port that a person was getting,” he said. “I think it would be important to talk to a doctor, talk to a counsellor... I think the app could bea really nice sup- port to that more broad process.” Elisha Gaite, a second year associate of arts student at Langara, was diag- nosed with depression five years ago and sees her family doctor for treat- ment. She said she hadn’t heard of the apps but would check them out. “T tried having a therapist but it’s dif- ficult to set up appoint- ments - to always keep them,” Gaite said. “One day youll think you'll be able to go on that day but the day comes and you feel like PSYCHIATRIST you can’t go.” Apps like Mood- Fx are designed to help with this. “Tt can be a big step, and that can be a tough thing to do,” Charters said, adding that treatment involves chang- ing negative thinking patterns. “These apps could be really helpful with that because they could be kind of a reminder,” he said.