Invisible Injuries
Today is Bell Canada’s “Let’s Talk” Day. So, let’s talk.
I want to talk to you about the injuries we can’t see with the naked eye. I can easily remove my limb to offer you proof that I have suffered pain, and (thankfully) proof I have survived. But all injuries and sources of struggle and suffering are not as easy to identify.
Consider the millions of people who are living their lives with invisible injuries.
Consider that perhaps these invisible injuries don’t have to be so difficult to spot – if only we could make the time to look a little bit closer.
Mental health is equally as important as our physical health – yet oftentimes the PPE required to protect our mental well being isn’t as easily accessible as it needs to be.
So today, I encourage you to “be the PPE”! Offer your personal protection to someone else!
If you are wondering if there are people around you who need your help, or if the help you have to offer could make a difference, I will answer both of those questions for you with great certainty.
Yes, and YES!
That’s it. It’s really not complicated at all.
Canadians have the opportunity to offer help to one another that will inevitably play a role in preventing an invisible injury from becoming more harmful than it may already be – or even leading to a physical injury.
Those of you who know me might have heard that I challenge people to do #onethingsafer
The concept is that if each person makes one small change we can accomplish big things.
Today, I’m throwing my #onethingsafer challenge out to everyone with a suggestion: make your #onethingsafer today to help someone else by doing one small thing. Listen. Ask how someone is doing. Open up about your own experiences.
The mars and scars that live within us may be easier to disguise, however the effort to cover up is harmful in itself. Offering your time and attention to allow someone (who you know or don’t) to speak their truth out loud and share what is troubling them could make a lifetime of difference.