OFF! the Top of My Head

By Chad Armbruster

Here's a joke for you. A short balding Jewish guy walks in a counselors office (stop me if you've heard this one) and says, "Hey, I'm I think I'm depressed." and the lady says, "Well, go to your doctor and get some medication." (ba-dump-bump-ching) Thank you, you're a great audience. I'll be here for the rest of my life.

Well, how would you start an article about your own mental health?

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it's true, as of last Friday I became an official card carrying member of the Prozac nation. It's funny but I don't feel crazy but then again that's half the battle. Now, that I can say to everyone, "Yes, I have depression and have for most of my life." I can go on about my happy life trying to do something about it. It's not a matter of just waking up one morning and telling myself that today's going to be the best day since the discovery of the slinky. It's hard and I know that a lot of people out there go through depression and think that their life just is what it is and there's nothing that can change that. So, I'm here to tell you that no, you can do something about how you get through life.

See, I've thought about going to talk to a counselor for a few months now and I even talked about it with a few people before going through with it. While this isn't my first time going it was a hard choice to make because this time I knew I'd be put on meds. However, the more humorous response I got was from a co-worker who after I told her I was going said, "But you look happy." And maybe I do a lot of the time, but that doesn't mean I don't need help. I hate to break the high pedestal that some of my readers have put me on, but about 90% of the time I put on a happy face for those around me. Now it doesn't mean that I don't like people. It just means that I know most people who ask, "How's it going?" don't really want to hear, "This morning I felt like dying but the thought of what my fiancé would have to go through if I did kill myself was too much to bare, so I here I am. By the way how's class going?" Point being, I don't want to burden others with the crap that makes me feel bad. After all if it makes me feel bad why should I bring you down with me?

I wrote this article to let people know it's ok to get help with life. Don't feel ashamed if you have to talk to someone or if you have to take medication. And for those whose lives are peachy. Don't think that everyone who's on Prozac, Zoloft or other things is on the verge of being thrown in the nut house.

So, now we move on and take things day by day, right? And to all my friends who read this I tell you that no, you shouldn't get weirded out by this and no, you shouldn't treat me any differently. If you have questions ask, otherwise please keep your hands inside the cart at all times, do not stand while the ride is in motion and no flash photography please.