Unmasking Mental Illness | CAMH Content Series

Retired NHL goaltender Corey Hirsch feared what his teammates and coaches would think about his mental illness. This is his story. #MentalHealthIsHealth
Learn more: camh.ca/mentalhealthishealth

[@Ashley-ku7is]

Thank you for sharing your story! Every story shared reduces stigma. I suffered horribly from anxiety and depression in my hockey playing days. However, I felt that I had no where to turn. I was playing on one of the top lines, and if I pulled myself out of hockey for even a game, I was demoted and sat. I eventually had a breakdown and drove myself home, despite an upcoming weekend of away games. I told my coach I needed to leave for medical reasons. When I returned, I didn't dress for multiple games afterwards and was blacklisted. My team never tried to delve deeper into my issues, or even cared to ask about what was going on. It made me suicidal. It also killed my love of playing hockey and I refuse to ever play again. It's very painful to this day. HOWEVER, I have come out the other side and am doing much much better now. I asked for help after this period in my life and some amazing people helped me get better. There is hope! Things can and will get better with proper aid.

[@henrywade912]

This is the true severity of ocd. Everyone uses that term jokingly, but this is the real results of obsessive compulsive disorder.

[@flamingdelta9853]

I struggle with ocd, i have to check if something is always on my chair in my bedroom, and have to keep checking over and over before i go to bed, i used to wash my hands over and over because i didnt think i washed them, i have to more then double check of the car door is locked, it sucks

[@helenclarke4102]

Thank you so very much for sharing your story. Your ability in self-awareness to reach out for help in such desperation is courageous indeed. My treatment story includes counselling, ECT, and then Deep Brain Neurostimulation for Treatment-Resistant depression.

[@Martin_Z555]

good story indeed. there really shouldnt be so much stigma over an organ malfunctioning. if it's nothing to be ashamed of if other organ needs medical attention so it should be nothing to be ashamed of for the one sitting in our skulls.

[@AM-ko4pi]

Thank you for sharing your story. I hope this helps somebody out there understand that sometimes we all need help. Go see a psychologist or even your family doctor. It was the best decision of my life. I’m still alive because of that decision. The world is better with me in it and I’m absolutely certain it’s better with you here too.

[@DiamondPro-mc4ol]

Its the insane people who run and staff camh who are the problem, not us patients. Down with camh, hope to see it in my lifetime.

[@ohyeah1994]

They showed this on the big screen at the Marlies game tonight.

[@DarkMagician8880]

good story

[@jahmericadain]

very good story

[@missleeogilvieraygaal]

Step 1

[@DiamondPro-mc4ol]

Its the camh horror that needs to be unmasked imo. No respect for humanity