“IT”

Most people probably don’t give “IT” a second thought. Whether they do or don’t, doesn’t change the fact that “IT” exist. Ignoring “IT” won’t make “IT” go away. “IT” indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague. In any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience “IT” for themselves. “IT” affects people of all ages, education, income levels and cultures; no one is exempt from “IT”, “IT” is a raging beast from which no one can hide. “IT” is called MENTAL ILLNESS.

From me, “IT” has stolen my life. When things seem normal and fine on the outside; the beast is at war, “IT” never rest. I run and run; I desperately try to outrun “IT” but “IT” still cast it’s ugly shadow, because you cannot outrun your shadow; where you go, “IT” goes. When I want nothing more than to see beauty, the sunshine, the flowers; “IT” cast it’s ugly shadow. “IT” has stolen my ‘normal’, what seemed like normal, as turned to abnormal.

When all around me, everyone is seemingly enjoying life, rushing here and there, no thinking twice about performing a task, laughing at not so funny jokes. But “IT” as captured my ‘happy’ and only releases it when “IT” decides to. I have become a prisoner in my own mind, that’s what  “IT” can do.

“IT” affects your whole family, not caring who it destroys. What relationships “IT” ruins. “IT” takes no pity on the damage it can do to anyone in its path. The time “IT” steals from, time shared with your loved ones, spouse, children, family and friends. Time that you can never retrieve, time you cannot get back, time that is lost forever.

But “IT” is a living cancer, trying desperately to destroy the life you so long to possess. There’s nothing you want more then to be free, to be at peace, a chance just to be the person you know you can be; if “IT” wasn’t in your way. Maybe tomorrow, “IT” may decide to give you a good day, just maybe.