Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has been on people's mental health. Today, I want to speak to the fact that it can take strength, courage, and sometimes both to seek help for illnesses that may not have obvious physical symptoms.
Eight years ago, when my daughter was born, I experienced postpartum depression. It has taken me years to even be able to say those words, postpartum depression, and it still makes me uncomfortable. At first, I insisted that my behaviour and feelings were from a lack of sleep, but as weeks turned into months, I slept less and less until I was unable to sleep at all. I became increasingly irritable, distant, and angry. Always seeing myself as a problem-solver for others, I insisted that I could think my way out of this. I read every book there was about infant sleep and, still running my own law practice, threw myself back into work. I tried to rationalize my behaviours away, and I continued to blame myself for what I was feeling or, some days, not feeling.
My spouse finally put a label on what was happening and insisted that I speak to a professional. At first, that label made me angry, but ultimately, this is what gave me permission that it was okay for me to not be okay. I came to accept that it was not my fault that I was experiencing a mental illness, that I had not failed, and that I deserved help from others. That's a hard list of acceptance for many of us, Mr. Speaker, particularly when we prize characteristics such as strength, problem-solving, and independence, and it is hard to admit when the thing that defines you can, in fact, be holding you back from getting help.
Over the last several months, the world has been through rolling shutdowns as we've watched COVID-19 march across countries and decimate healthcare systems. It is okay to not feel okay throughout this, or with the impacts that this is having on individual lives and communities. Mental health wellness resources are not just there for someone else; they are there for everyone. Do not let a misperception about what mental illness is make you hesitate about whether your feelings warrant checking out the available resources. For those who work for any level of government, Mr. Speaker, there is a good chance there are some great resources out there in the human resources systems. Many large private corporations have mental health and wellness services, and the GNWT has a variety of programs available for all different kinds of mental health support. If someone stops for even a moment to wonder whether they should check into these options, I sincerely hope that they do. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.