Check on Your ‘Strong’ Friends Too, Advises Psychologist

By Staff Writer

Clinical psychologist Jonelle Walsh said depression can be hidden behind a smile, and people who appear high-functioning should not be overlooked.

Walsh, co-founder of Mental Health Talk Antigua, spoke on Observer AM about the subtle signs of depression that are often missed by family and friends.

She was responding to a question about someone who is active in the community, always seems happy, and then experiences a sudden change. Walsh said such changes are rarely as sudden as they appear.

“It’s never suddenly. They’re usually subtle signs but there are people who mask depression very well. So, pretty much they’re high-functioning; they still attend, they still show up. But you might find that even though that they may show up they may not be as productive, they may not be as efficient, they may become the overly jokester in the room,” Walsh said.

Walsh said this is why people should not assume their strongest, most cheerful friends are automatically fine.

She said everyone carries some form of difficulty, whether or not it is visible to others.

Walsh added that checking in should not be limited to close family, but should extend to colleagues and friends as well.

“We have that saying you have to check on your strongest friends because, as people, we are carrying a lot. There is no person who has escaped from, what you call it, the life survival strategies that they give us, for lack of better terminology. So, we have to navigate these challenges.

“It’s important that we check on our friends; we check on our colleagues; we check on our family members because even though we perceive them to be okay, they may not necessarily be okay,” the clinical psychologist noted.

Walsh said stigma remains one of the biggest reasons people hide how they are really feeling.

She encouraged the public to be more open in talking about mental health, both for themselves and for those around them.

Walsh said people struggling should not carry it alone, and encouraged them to speak up.

“Because depression is something that can be masked and because of our stigma towards mental health, a lot of people don’t want to say that I’m not okay and it’s definitely okay to say that I’m not okay.

“It’s okay not to be okay and once you recognize that you’re not okay it’s voicing it to somebody who you trust. Once you’re able to say I can’t manage anymore, this has become too much for me; I need help -those are the most critical words that you’re able to say that I need help and that’s when you’re able to truly get the help. But you have to express it to somebody who you trust. There is quite a bit of counselors, psychologists that are around,” Walsh advised.

People personally struggling with their mental health are encouraged to reach out to a trusted person, or to contact the Family and Social Services Division counselling unit or Gender Affairs Department for support.