TXT4Life Annual Conference

Hockey coach shares his own story of depression in order to help others.

Mental illness is something that affects nearly every community in the Northland, but also one that no one wants to talk about.

However the TXT4Life conference stressed mental illness is something that’s OK to talk about.

The message came from a community leader and one that many look up to.

As the men’s hockey coach at St. Scholastica, Mark Wick can feel the hot seat, but fighting depression was his biggest opponent yet.

“I didn’t want to have depression, I didn’t have a choice on that. I had to deal with it finally,” said Wick.

He had to take a timeout from his sport, but called the time he found help one of the best things in his life.

“If that it can help someone else so they don’t go through what I’ve gone through that’s what it was all about for me,” said Wick.

Mark was the keynote speaker for TXT4Life’s annual conference. They’re a text line that connects someone in crisis with a mental health counselor.

“As a community we can provide prevention if we can provide skills for people before they ever reach those moments we are really preventing suicide in the forefront,” said Amberwing Family Resource Manager Lori Thrun.

The conference reminded everyone that there’s always somewhere to go.

“The more that we talk about it, the more that people are going to find the resources that they need and be able to access the help they need and just know what’s out there,” said TXT4Life Northwest Minnesota Coordinator Meghann Levitt.

The conference also stated that one choice affects more than just one person.

“If anyone is having a difficult time right now, it’s not permanent,” said DHHS American Indian Mental Health Coordinator Angie Hirsch.

Just like Mark, finding help is the best power play one can get when battling a mental illness.

“It’s ok to talk about it. It’s not something that has to be hid,” said Wick.

TXT4Life’s number is 61222 and you can find more resources at their website: http://txt4life.org/  

The suicide prevention hotline number is: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)