BELLEVILLE – Monda Whiteman is no stranger to depression.
In 2014, Whiteman was hospitalized for clinical depression and chronic pain.
After she was released, Whiteman attended therapy sessions at the Hastings and Prince Edward Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Whiteman says her experience taught her to seek help from others rather than suffering alone. "The most important thing is to tell somebody. Make sure somebody is aware that you're going through hell and that you need help."
Following her year-long-recovery, Whiteman later learned that her own therapy would involve helping others. Last August, she started up a weekly meditation and colouring therapy session every Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. through the association.
"I wanted to give back. I was helped a lot so I just wanted to give back," says Whiteman.
Whiteman's sessions started out with relaxation mandala circles – circular designs people colour that are supposed to have healing powers. The workshop eventually used a wide variety of colouring books.
Whiteman says colouring is an act of meditation. Her instruction to people while they're colouring is "trying to zone in and forget your worries for two hours – slowly the people have opened up as well, telling their stories."
Whiteman says her experience with depression has given her a stronger sense of empathy with people who are suffering.
"I understand people suffer. To be alone in suffering isn't good. When they tell me their stories they're trusting me enough to open up. It's important to open up to someone else. I know how isolating it can be not to have someone to talk to, that damages you," says Whiteman.
When asked who her heroes were, Whiteman said they are Sandie Sidsworth, who was her therapist and is now head of the local branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, and her own husband, Jeff Whiteman. "Those people brought me back from the brink of suicide," she says.
Monda met Jeff when they were both attending Centennial Secondary School. They fell in love during a school band trip. Monda played the flute and piano; Jeff played the trumpet and French horn. They've been married for 31 years.
"It's wonderful. We were blessed to find each other so young," she says.
The couple had two children, a boy and girl. Both are now in their 20s.
Born in Ottawa, Whiteman grew up mostly in Belleville. Asked for her thoughts about the city she replied, "To me it's a beautiful city. I've always enjoyed living here. I've moved several times and I keep coming back."