MIKE WALLACE'S DEPRESSION STORY

Thank you to 60 Minutes reporter Mike Wallace for sharing the most powerful story he has ever reported - that of his 20-year battle with depression. PBS just wrapped up a series on mental health in which Wallace and his wife Mary are interviewed (link below).

His story will be helpful to many in multiple ways. First, he's honest about how bad it got. He contemplated and attempted suicide. His wife Mary found him and helped saved his life. Wallace discusses how both drug and talk therapy helped pull him through his illness. As a mental health counselor, I can't emphasize this point enough. Medication can give you a window of opportunity, but does not help you change your behavior. Wallace states how important regular exercise and social contact (behavioral changes) have helped him stay symptom-free for the last 15 years.

Mary Wallace, his wife, also shares how difficult it is to be the spouse of a person who is suffering from any mental illness and she gives great advice: "It's not your fault. Go get help yourself."

Here's the video link: Mike Wallace on Depression. If you or someone you care about is experiencing what feels like a dark, inescapable cloud please, watch this story and then get help. Depression is treatable! To learn more about the signs of depression, visit http://www.depression-screening.org.

PERCEPTION

PERCEPTION . . . Something To Think About. . .

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule. 4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk. 6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again. 10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly. 45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32. 1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition. No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100. This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: *In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? *Do we stop to appreciate it? *Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context? One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made. How many other things are we missing?