Personal struggle drives Brandonite to help others

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This article was published 28/01/2025 (283 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When Brandon’s Sarah McLeod was diagnosed with a bipolar disorder, she says she was able to get the help she needed and it is the reason why she is “giving back and helping people,” as a facilitator with The Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba’s (MDAM) Prairie Mountain region.

McLeod helps facilitate two groups with the non-profit, a wellness group on Monday nights and a ladies group called Soul Sisters on Tuesday mornings. She said it helps her, when she helps others.

“When you’re not well, it’s hard to talk to somebody who doesn’t get it,” McLeod said. “They don’t understand what it’s like not to be able to get out of bed in the morning and do the basic things like shower and eat properly.”

“So, when you find somebody who’s been there, it’s like, hey, you know what this feels like. That’s the value of peer support,” she said.

McLeod is one of three volunteers who provides peer support with the Brandon office of MDAM.

“For so long, we’ve been told to keep our tears inside, to buck up and don’t worry about things, to just let it go and move on to the next thing,” McLeod said.

“But you have to deal with your emotions, because they’ll build up. And when you do get them out, sometimes it’s just as helpful as a doctor’s appointment.”

The MDAM branch in Brandon offers group sessions for seniors, for those experiencing postpartum depression, and for friends and family of people experiencing depression.

In the last year, MDAM has added five new group sessions, and recently opened a new location in which to offer them, said Lora Hay, regional outreach manager of the Prairie Mountain region.

MDAM’s new space at 1003 13th St. will give her and her volunteers the opportunity to provide more in-person programming instead of only online.

“Anything that was strictly online, we’re now offering in a hybrid situation for those individuals who do want to come in, sit down and have a coffee in our space, instead of just looking at their Zoom meeting screen,” said Hay.

“We’ll still have that online option, but now we can also facilitate more programs, not only to the general public but all different populations. We’re looking at a youth program with Brandon University and Assiniboine College, as well as offering art therapy and vision board making,” she said.

Between April 2022 and June 2023, MDAM in Brandon held 336 group meetings, and provided 157 one-on-one peer support sessions, with an overall attendance of 2,379 people.

While in the community, volunteers held 77 workshops, gave 131 presentations, attended 31 events while hosting an information booth, and connected with more than 11,000 people, according to the MDAM website.

Hay said MDAM has been providing sessions and support in Manitoba for more than 40 years with its slogan, “We help people help themselves.”

“We’re not clinicians, we’re peer support,” Hay said, “We tend to bridge the gap because a lot of times people are waiting for professional services, and not everyone can afford a private counsellor.

“So, we’re there to listen, and to say I know how you feel because I’ve been there. And a lot of times that sentence in itself is really healing to someone, because then they don’t feel like they’re alone.

“And once we do that, you can see their shoulders relax, and they’re like, ‘OK, thank God somebody else knows how I’m feeling. Not to say that a professional wouldn’t do that, they certainly do,’” said Hay.

Mood disorders include depression, bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, and something that can affect many people at this time of year — seasonal affective disorder, Hay said.

“It’s a year-round situation, but people really struggle when it’s cold, and we do find that our volume goes up in the winter because people are struggling. They’re inside, and they’re lonely, so those factors come into play as well,” she said.

On Mondays, MDAM offers three support groups — Wellness, Baby Talk and Self Love.

The schedule for February will see two new programs added for Tuesday with Tea and Tales for seniors in Boissevain. Soul Sisters, and Family and Friends will be offered in person and online. Games Night is scheduled to begin Feb. 18.

Wednesday offers a Men’s Workshop at the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation, and Tea and Tales in Minnedosa. Thursday morning is Coffee Talk and on Friday morning, Rotary Villas offers space for Tea and Tales.

As McLeod shared more about her bipolar disorder, she said it’s never-ending and something that will be with her all her life.

And when asked to give words of wisdom to family members who have a loved one dealing with depression, she suggested, “Remind them of their importance.”

“Often, when you’re struggling with depression, you forget how important you are,” McLeod said.

“So, if your relationship is close enough to give a hug, a hug is usually worth a million bucks. That physical touch is worth its weight in gold.”

The number for the Peer Support line is 204-560-1461, or toll-free at 1-800-263-1460.

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

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