[Originally published on GAIA's MySpace Site. 12th December 2007.]

Why We Want To Talk About It...
Why are we engaged in this campaign and why do we think Depression and Asthma are taboo subjects in our society?

In The Beginning There Were Witches...
There is growing and considerable evidence, that, in the Middle-Ages people were burnt at the stake: labeled as 'Witches', when they may well have been suffering from Depression or P.M.T.. Hundreds of years on, we are not that far from the prejudices and persecutions witnessed then. After twenty years of suffering and campaigning on issues related to Depression, re-branding is the real thing that has happened: mock-caring voices; glossy colour brochures; and new terminologies to embrace the vulnerable and gullible.

Depression is as much a taboo as it it ever has been. Partly, because, on the whole, the only people talking about it, publicly, are medical personnel, psychologists and theorists. The true 'experts' - the sufferers - are still unable to make it through the BBC doors, or into the national newspapers, or onto local radio stations... Unless, of course, there is a news item, that, stigmatizes or stereo-types the sufferer.

Sit-Down, Shut-Up And Listen!...
Instead, of open discussion and confessional outings by 'ordinary' sufferers, we are invaded by an array of 'celebrity' sufferers, who misinterpret mental health terminologies on their way to popularizing it and pampering their 'media' profile, making themselves seem caring, sensitive and clever. Celebrities have made mental health 'fun', 'wacky' and 'creative'. People say ,that, they have Bi-Polar, like other people say, that, they have an iPhone!

Depression is not 'fun', it is not glamorous, 'creative' or 'wacky'. It is about suffering, pain, anguish: and it kills!

Today, it can be easier to talk in public about Cancer or A.I.D.S, than it is about Depression. Which is why GAIA, launched their "Sit-Down, Shut--Up And Listen!" campaign in November 2006, with the support at various events of Asthma UK (Cymru) and Journeys. The main event kicked-off nine months later along the west Wales coastal path, as a member of GAIA ran the sixty-three miles length of the coastal path and swam the seven Blue Flag beaches along the way.

The former national sprinter and international sprint coach, a sufferer of Depression since his teenage years and from Asthma for four years, completed the challenge in under twelve hours, and raised £1,500 for GAIA.

Kick-Up A Fuss About Depression And Asthma!...
For 2008, GAIA, is directing its campaign to the younger demographics. Where suicide rates are still going up. Where little support systems are in place. Where few talk about either Depression or Asthma. Where some school teachers (and parents) still think children with Asthma are 'faking-it' and being 'pathetic'. Where young people with Depression are still regarded in the wider society as being 'weak' or 'lazy'.

It is time we all, as sufferers, stand-up and start bellowing from our kitchen stools to be heard. We regard this campaign as something to kick people's arses! Wake them up from their mediocre cryonic Daily Mail stupor!

At GAIA, we feel, that, it is time to break-down the myths and taboos. People should feel free to talk about Asthma and/or Depression.

While, we have been campaigning, we have met so many people who suffer from either or both conditions. People who have sponsored us; who have donated help or equipment or services to our events; local shop-keepers; executives from national companies have 'come-out' to us. People we would never have known started talking and started opening-up.

"I remember, when I was in my twenties, I suffered from Depression for about ten years (suffering in silence) until I decided to tell my family and friends. It would have been easier if I had 'come-out' and told them, that, I was gay!" Chief Executive of GAIA.

Depression can hit anyone. It has no boundaries. It doesn't observe class, culture or gender. It has no political or religious inclinations. It can hit the factory worker just as easily as the merchant banker. But, one thing is far more clear now is, that, the young have have been left behind.

It's Cool To Talk...
GAIA's UK-wide series of gigs, fundraising and awareness event, on 30th March 2008, is designed to really kick-up some fuss about Depression and Asthma. So much talk and campaigning is directed at the 'older generation', and the young are left to die or heave-up somewhere in a lonely corner. But, it is okay to talk about Depression and Asthma. It is not a taboo, and it doesn't mean you're not 'cool'.

We have venues in Liverpool, Cambridge, London, Cardiff and York and dozens of young bands lining-up to play for free. It is heart-warming and stirring stuff. The spirit of direct action Mother Jones and Joe Hill is still alive in many places. Young people, who should be too cool to have anything to do with this, are standing-up and wanting to be part of this campaign.

One band from Cambridge wanted to do it, writing to us:

"...I'm in a punk band from Cambridge and we'd be more than happy to be on the line-up. I suffered from Asthma as a child, but, I somehow grew out of it. My brother, aged 26, is currently living at home and suffering from Depression and I'm sure as you know, it is not easy for him or my family. Cheers for gettin' in touch man, just give us a date and I'll tell the others. Take care."
From a member of a band in Cambridge.

Disturbingly, he also let us into a little incident he witnessed:
"Last night, I went to see a band at a local venue in Cambridge and there was a 14 year old girl there. She wasn't drinking or doing drugs, but, the atmosphere in the gig room got quite over-heated, and when she walked out of the gig she took in a huge breath of smoke and had an Asthma attack. People looked after her and a paramedic arrived. But, then the police had to get involved as usual. The promoter of the venue was worried about one thing and that she that she was 14. So, the venue would get its license taken away because she was under-age. He didn't give a shit about the fact, that, the girl was still hyperventilating on the bench. As if it would be her fault, that, the venue let 14 year olds in because the landlord is a tight ****."
From a member of a band in Cambridge.

Another band from Liverpool have come onboard for similar reasons:
"...Yeah, we'd love to, fundraisers are a MUST in our books. Furthermore, I have depression/bi-polar issues myself so this is something I'd love to get involved in..."
Member of a Liverpool Band.

In a further conversation, as we explained why we felt it was important, that, young people were targeted during this campaign, he wrote:
"...It's the younger generations who suffer post from Depression, Asthma and other problems which are associated with them both (such as, Bulemia, Anorexia, Anxiety, etc.) It just seems so strange, that, so little is done considering they're big problems tight now and only getting bigger. The best anyone does is get pills which only mask certain issues, if any at all. More work needs to be done into the whole issue and it needs to be looked at much deeper..."
Member of a Liverpool Band.

So many of the bands have witness experiences or direct experience with Depression or Asthma and are all standing-up to show their young fan-base, that, 'It Is Cool To Talk' about Depression and/or Asthma. That, you can still be cool if you suffer from Depression and/or Asthma.

It is a lead that many older people should take, especially considering, that, the young have far more to lose.

Let's not allow our youth to be burnt-out before they get a chance to live.

Lord Muswell
For GAIA Unlimited