Burke's Story
There was no band-aid solution in my recovery from depression - making small daily changes, and continuing to build on those made a substantial difference.
There was no band-aid solution in my recovery from depression - making small daily changes, and continuing to build on those made a substantial difference.
"Wherever you are on your path, things can and will get better."
About Burke:
My name is Burke, I am a 25 year old living in Toronto. I am one of the co-founders of tethr, a mobile, peer enabled mental health and well-being platform for men. I began my career in product building Fintech, blockchain, and mobile solutions. I’ve built on that experience since becoming the CPO at tethr.
I have long battled depression along with anxiety, with its peaks occurring during periods of transition in my life. From being on-the-go, excited, and constantly busy, to stagnant non-fulfilling phases of my life. Through reflection and help of others I’ve come to a place of understanding and growth with my own mental health.
For me, there was not one single turning point towards my recovery, however smaller significant events.
I had long struggled to understand my purpose and unemployment only exacerbated those feelings. At the time I was doing everything wrong for myself, from self-gratification to hurting people who cared for me.
It took hitting complete rock bottom and daily thoughts of suicide for me to acknowledge that the way I was living was not bearable if I ever wanted a future.
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT REALLY HELPED?
Speaking to others:
Revisiting childhood hobbies:
Staying active:
Facing my past:
My first piece of advice is to acknowledge that life is a tumultuous journey. Wherever you are on your path, things can and will get better. Having said that, there is no band-aid solution for improving mental health. But making small daily changes will make a substantial difference.
Start today with forming one new habit to incorporate into your daily life – reach out to an old friend, take up a passion project, finish the book you’ve been eyeing, set your alarm one hour earlier to go for a walk. Next week add another. They talk about the power of compounding interest in finance and investing, however no one talks about the power of compounding when applied to habits and your own mental health.