Today is Bell Canada’s “Let’s Talk Day”. It also marks 18 months since Jordan died as a result of his Bipolar disease. I have searched since his death for somewhere to direct my grief and anger – to find a way to ensure that Jordan’s life and Jordan’s death had meaning, and that others get the help and support they need. There are so many gaps to fill.

We need more research – no one ever talked about Jordan’s illness with hope in their voice. And there was never a discussion on cure. Why? If one day the chemicals and neurons in his brain turned against him – then surely there must be a way to turn them back?

We need more services and support – in the communities where we live and delivered in a way that does not disrupt our ability to work, or go to school, or care for our families. It is hard to imagine ever reaching that goal when mental health services receives a mere 4% of the Saskatchewan health care budget (it’s only about 5% nationally).

We need that care delivered by specialized health care professionals who know how to engage their clients in therapeutic conversations.

We need a better approach for dealing with our acutely ill mental health clients that doesn’t involve jail cells or being dragged into an overwhelmed and ill suited emergency department.

All of this is important. But I have come to see that until we can drive out the stigma attached to mental illness, until we can normalize a discussion about a mental health diagnosis so that it is met with the same caring and support that a diagnosis of cancer receives, then we will never be successful at tackling the other challenges.

The “Let’s Talk” campaign is making a difference. I looked at the lineup of programming occurring across Bell’s television network today – Marilynn Dennis, The Social, CTV’s airing of the documentary on Clara’s Big Ride, and of course a special episode of Michael Landsberg’s OTR on TSN (including a heart felt interview with the amazing Mike Babcock) and I was amazed at how this campaign has gained momentum.

In a world where there is no judgement and no stigma attached to depression, I believe Jordan would have said “Mom, I am really struggling emotionally and I think I need to see someone”. No different than all the times he came to me with his training injuries and we sought out physiotherapy and other medical support to get him back into the game. In a world without stigma and judgement – Jordan would not have felt so painfully alone.

So please go to the “Let’s Talk” website and tweet, text, and share to raise money for Mental Health. More importantly – commit to having one conversation today with someone about mental health.