Month: April 2017

#MarchForScience – Tweets and Treats

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“What do we want?”    

“Evidence-based Science!”

“When do we want it?”

“After Peer review!”

April 22, 2017 witnessed over 500 marches for Science around the world rally for science and its policy-making.

At different March for Science rallies, demonstrators gathered to hear a mix of scientists, politicians, and celebrities laud science as the force moving humanity forward, and demand of our leaders and government evidence-based policy. Keynote speakers included Megan Smith, Bill Nye the Science Guy, Adam Savage, Mayim Bialik and Prof. Manu Prakash amongst others. They acknowledged the vital role science plays in our lives and the need to respect and encourage research that gives us insight into the world.

There were folks dressed in lab coats and pink knit brain hats. There were costumed characters and festooned pets.  Across the nation and abroad, as thousands of scientists and their supporters convened on Earth Day to defend science against proposed government cuts and political interference, many got their messages across with colorful and candid protest signs. I could not personally make it to the march (who else hates falling sick when something fantastic is going on?!) However, I followed the marches across the world on Twitter.

Here are a few signs/tweets I fell in love with:

Though this was not a tweet from Tyson on the day of Science March, it stresses the importance of science and research unlike anything else.

Scientists and citations. This one got it all right in one tweet. I had a stupid smile on my face while reading this. NIH is life. Literally.

The electrical engineer in me squealed a little when I saw the following sign. This was then inducted into my list of favorite tweets (Get it, get it… ;))

https://twitter.com/doctorcdf/status/855922021267648513

Boy, did they get this right! A woman’s place is in the lab. Agree? (:

Yes. Yes. YES.

I am not one for mixing science and politics. But with the proposed budget cuts affects funding for research where it is needed most, politicians force scientists’ hands.  Also, who doesn’t love Katie Mack!?!

When we have support from one pole to another, you know we did this right!

Here are some cute brain hats for you. Pretty neat, don’t you think?

This was only the beginning. The following week (April 23-29, 2017) will be a “Week of Action”. Please read more about it on the March for Science blog. You could also join a Satellite near you here.

For those of you interested in meeting other scientists, the World Science Festival, founded by Prof. Brian Greene, will reconvene for the 10th annual World Science Festival in New York City from May 30, 2017 to June 4, 2017. Watch out for tickets here.

To wrap up, this was the message I had planned for my sign:

May the facts be with you.

Depression: Why it is important to talk

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April 7, 2017. World Health Day. This year the World Health Organization (WHO) is leading a campaign to raise awareness about depression (Depression: Let’s talk), currently the number one cause of disability. Let’s talk about that.

According to a recently updated fact sheet by WHO, over 300 million people are affected by depression worldwide. The numbers are only increasing. With high-stress jobs and increasing social pressure to perform, anxiety and depression affect people of all ages, from all walks of lives, in all countries. So if you are one among the 300 million, know this…

You are not alone.

Depression is common. It is a medical condition affecting the brain, much like a tumor or Parkinson’s disease. There is nothing wrong with you.

Similar to tumors or any other illness, depression can be treated. It is one of the best documented but least discussed health problems. The stats provide staggering numbers behind the number of suicides due to depression. However, if we take a closer look, a number of these could have been prevented if the signs were detected early on in a person’s life. A majority of the population experiencing mental health do not receive any form of care.

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You are stronger than you know

One of the key problems in our society is the huge stigma around talking about depression and mental health. Having been raised to believe that feeling vulnerable is a weakness and shows personal inadequacy, it is hard for most people to discuss their emotions. The stigmatization of depression does nothing to help those grappling with depression — in fact, treating depression as a personal problem rather than an illness can deter depressed people from seeking professional help and cause them to feel guilty instead.

We need to break the stigma around depression.

Research has evidenced the benefits of voicing thoughts and feelings as a step towards recovery. Psychotherapy, commonly referred to as talk therapy, is designed to relieve despondence of patients by providing a mental toolkit that challenges negative thoughts. This kind of therapy helps us learn about ourselves in such a deep and broad way that we can utilize our understanding in a variety of situations.

For those of you trying to help a dear one, take a minute to look at this article. It is important to educate yourself about the dont’s during a conversation. It is crucial not to dismiss or belittle someone’s condition while trying to help them. Sometimes it is okay to just listen.

For those of you battling (Yes, that’s the word I chose to use… cuz you’re more brave than most!) depression, I understand that during a time when the word ‘Depression’ is used loosely, it is hard to gauge if people fully understand what you are undergoing. It may feel impossible to explain the helpless feelings you have inside to others, or to even gather the strength to confide in someone. But making the choice of talking to someone you trust could help you understand you are not in this alone. You don’t have to fight this fight alone.

There are many paths to recovery and each person’s may be different. Whether you attend self-help groups, speak to a clinician, seek medication, or simply speak to loved ones, it’s important to share your feelings. Explaining your condition and symptoms will help those around you, including yourself, understand what it is you’re going through.

I am not a therapist. I will probably not have the best solutions to your problems. But if you need someone to listen to you, know that I can be that person. An ally in this crazy, beautiful world… Where you belong.