WOUB Public Media

Lifespan: Stories of Illness, Accident, and Recovery

WOUB Public Media

  • “Depression in the First Person”

“Depression in the First Person”

Monday 11th January 2021

Journalist Anna Mehler Paperny shares her battle with depression, tackling stigma and advocating for improved mental health care on Lifespan.
33 minutes
Informative
Empowering
Hopeful
Thought-provoking
Authentic

About this podcast

Lifespan: Stories of Illness, Accident, and Recovery
Author:
WOUB Public Media
Overview:
Categories:
Empowering Recovery Journeys
Healing from Sexual Trauma
Healing Relationships
Sobriety Success Stories
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
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Episodes:
23 (View all)
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Anna Mehler Paperny: Facing Depression Head-On and Changing the Conversation

What's so interesting is that people who suffer from depression can tell you it feels like a physical illness.
Imagine battling a relentless storm inside your mind while trying to maintain a successful career. That’s the reality for Anna Mehler Paperny, a Canadian journalist who has won awards for her investigative reporting with Reuters, The Globe and Mail, and Global News. In this compelling episode of 'Lifespan', Anna opens up about her lifelong struggle with major clinical depression, including multiple suicide attempts.
She bravely shares her personal story to shed light on the often misunderstood and stigmatized world of mental illness. Anna’s journey isn’t just about her own battles; she also offers a historical perspective on how mental illness has been treated over the years and discusses the ongoing stigma that surrounds it.
Her book, 'Hello I want to Die Please Fix Me: Depression in the First Person', delves into these themes in greater detail and has recently been released in the United States. This episode is not just a narrative; it’s a call to action for better mental health care and greater understanding. Anna talks about the credibility issues faced by psychiatrists and psychologists and stresses the importance of integrating mental health care into primary care settings.
Her candid discussion aims to break down barriers and foster a more compassionate approach to mental health. Whether you’re struggling with depression yourself, know someone who is, or are simply interested in understanding more about this critical issue, Anna’s story offers valuable insights and a powerful message of hope.