Helping the community to understand depression

Mount hosts Depression Awareness Day

By Owen Boss

GARDNER— People who suffered from depression for decades went untreated because the general public had limited resources available to help them better understand the condition. The mission of students and faculty at Mount Wachusett Community College was to change the way people think of depression and to raise awareness of an oftentimes misunderstood condition that affects more than 18.8 million Americans. Mount Wachusett students and faculty presented an informational program to educate guests about depression and bipolar disorder on Friday in the commons area. The event offered guests an informative PowerPoint presentation, brochures and informational poster boards and free depression screenings. Sheila Murphy, a professor of psychology coordinated the event, and said that she though it was important for the students in her abnormal psychology class to use the information they’ve gained to better educate the public. “The point of this program was to melt the walls of the classroom and open up the education we are doing here at Mount Wachusett to the community,” said Ms. Murphy. Although this is the first time the college has hosted a Depression Awareness Day, according to Ms. Murphy they have held educational programs in the past targeted at different conditions, and added that last year’s event was to promote education about eating disorders. Also on the schedule was a panel presentation that included Sen. Robert Antonioni D-Leominster, who spoke openly about his battle with depression following his brother’s suicide, and his political activism in the field of mental health. According to Mr. Antonioni, his perspective of depression and the field of mental health changed dramatically in 1999, when his younger brother John committed suicide. “Suicide touches so many people,” said Mr. Antonioni. “People suffering from extreme depression are in a state of mind where they have a hard time thinking about how much it will affect the people arround them.” Following his brother’s death, Mr. Antonioni began to see a counselor, who diagnosed him with depression, and recomended that he recieve both treatment and medication. Mr. Antonioni spoke about how difficult it was for him to admit that he was suffering from the condition, especially because as a politician, he felt it would negatively affect his career. “I would drive to Watertown once a week for counseling,” said Mr. Antonioni, “because I didn’t want anyone in the town I lived in to know that I was recieving treatment.” Mr. Antonioni also admitted that he would drive from Leominster to Acton to pick up his antidepressant medication, and that the effort he put into concealing his depression only made the situation worse. After admitting to a local newspaper that he suffered from depression and had at one time considered suicide, Mr. Antonioni recalled the immediate feeling of dread, but also emphasized that admitting to his depression made coping with the condition easier. “Talking about my depression made dealing with it easier,” said Mr. Antonioni. “I didn’t have to hide it anymore.” Mr. Antonioni also recalled how important stepping forward was not only for his peace of mind, but it set a positive example for others with similar conditions. “In retrospect the response I got was very positive, people were very understanding and people still come up to me today and say that they are glad that I was willing to talk about my depression.” Agencies and organizations participating at the event included Heywood Hospital, North Central Human Services, a Mount Wachusett counseling team, and a representative from the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 4/19/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 94)