Heidi Deagle

Meet Heidi Deagle. She is a thirty-year old registered nurse from British Columbia. She is also a vocal member of and advocate in the British Columbia gay and lesbian community. Heidi likes to spend her time with her supportive family, friends and partner. She also enjoys playing in the garden and with her pets.  Heidi lives with depression and anxiety. Despite a strong family history of depression, Heidi tried to deny that she suffered from a mental illness. Her role as a health care professional made it more difficult to admit and face that she was sick. After talking to a counselor, Heidi was confident enough to seek medical treatment, which has helped her significantly. She is telling her story because she wants people to realize that mental illnesses are as serious and painful as physical illnesses, and should be treated the same. FACE IT. Mental illness concerns us all.