FEATURE
Put Together a Plan—Just Like You Would for Any Other Risk
APEGA profesionals know all about health and safety plans on job sites. You know what dangers to anticipate, and you know where the emergency exits and escape routes are. Experts say you should treat your mental health the same way. Know what to do to keep yourself safe when you unexpectedly sink too low to think clearly. Treat this as you would any other emergency. Don’t play tough and imagine you can go it alone. Just like you can’t escape from an H 2 S pit alone if you’re overcome by gas, people often can’t pull themselves out of a suicidal pit, either. Fall back on the plan, and that plan is to reach for help. ESCAPE ROUTE AND RESOURCES
The Web Canadian Mental Health Association—Alberta
Alberta Crisis Centres
By Phone Calgary Distress Centre 403-266-HELP (4357)
211 Alberta
THE RIGHT PERSONNEL You wouldn’t expect someone who’s not trained in the emergency at hand to rescue you in the field. In the same way, family and friends who have never experienced depression may not the best people to turn to for help. They may tell you to “just cheer up” or “stop whining.” Perhaps there’s some other chestnut of folk wisdom they’ve picked up along the way. But guess what? Self-help aphorisms can be worse than no help at all, the experts say.
Edmonton Distress Line 780-482-HELP (4357)
Alberta Rural Distress Line 1-800-232-7288
Any Alberta Location 211
SPRING 2018 PEG | 63
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