Here is the next of the beautiful, inspiring, special contributions coming in to the #MandalasForMarinke remembrance project. I am grateful for each and every amazing contribution. You are invited to join; learn more here.
Beautiful Crochet Mandala
This amazing crochet mandala is a thread crochet version of Wink’s 12-round standard crochet mandala pattern. I’m loving the thread crochet contributions to this project! And the really special thing about this one is the beautiful pink crochet snowflake added atop it. It creates dimension, texture and stunning beauty.
Meet the Maker
This splendid crochet contribution comes from Deborah, also known as Snowcatcher. She shares:
“I’ve battled depression most of my life, and I’ve lost two loved ones to suicide. I’ve been the recipient of unfair and unkind judgment while I’ve been in the deepest and most hopeless abyss. I want to do all I can to help raise awareness of depression in the hope that others won’t have to go through what I have been through. I hope this project will help others extend the hand of kindness and arms of friendship towards those who are suffering, and I hope those who are suffering will be able to find and really feel joy.”
Words by Wink
Wink always loved celebrating the creativity in her family. On January 6, 2012, she shared:
“Back in ’84, I was born. (yes, that’s right) And my mom, with a ginormous pregnant belly, embroidered an entire alphabet for me, lil’ baby winkie! I remember it hanging in my room when I was little, and in the hallway when I was older. And then sitting in the attic when I was a lot older… And then ending up in a moving box somewhere, years later. Anyway, long story short, my mom gave it to me last weekend, when we were there to celebrate the first day of the year. I’m so happy to have gotten it!”
Visit Wink’s post to see the beautiful embroidery and which ones were Wink’s favorites.
About Depression
One purpose of this project is to raise awareness about depression so each post will end with some facts, thoughts or quotes about depression, suicide and/or mental health. Since Snowcatcher touched on the stigma of depression, I thought I’d expand on that today.
There are many reasons for the stigma of depression but in general people tend to hold a negative view of those with any type of mental illness. Lewis Wolpert has a great article about how people struggling with depression can often seem unreliable, irritable and difficult, causing those in their lives to feel frustrated, angry and hopeless, in a perpetuating cycle that leads to further stigma. It also leads to self-stigma, with the depressed person feeling shame, a feeling that can cause further depression.
There are different types of depression stigma. In addition to self-stigma, there is “anticipated stigma (where someone presupposes the way in which they might be perceived or treated), treatment stigma (the perceived implications of seeking or receiving treatment)” and the experience of stigma when mistreated by someone else because of our depression.
All of the links here elaborate on this concept and were chosen because I felt they had something more to say on the topic. It’s a big topic and one I’ll likely touch on again. But for now I’ll refer to an article by Elizabeth Shimer Bowers that discusses ways to counter stigma, ways that include getting social support, educating people about depression, avoiding isolation, facing your own stereotypes and avoiding self-blame.
All contributions to Mandalas for Marinke are welcome and will help raise awareness about depression while honoring her work in the same way that this great contribution has done today. Details to join here.
Thank you, Kathryn. That was beautiful. I hope this project will be a huge success! Thank you for everything you are putting into it!
Thank you so much for your beautiful contribution. I really love it!
Poignant words from Deborah (Snowcatcher). It is sad that her suffering was exacerbated by inappropriate responses from other people. I hope that this project and these posts will help to make a better future for those grappling with depression or any type of mental or ‘invisible’ illness.
Thank you for talking about the stigma associated with having depression. It seems that depression is passed down through the female line in my family. The men in the family don’t seem to understand and often make it worse. I remember hearing things as a child such as, “the Old Lady is crazy” when referring to why my grandmother would shut herself up in a dark bedroom for days. When I find myself in a battle against depression, I remember that comment about my grandmother who loved me more than anyone ever has. I could get her to come out of her room by talking to her and telling her I was hungry to get her to eat. I find myself lying about being depressed and saying I have a stomach ache or the flu instead of a temporary low. It helps greatly to know that I am not alone in these feelings, yet I wish no one ever had to feel this way and had to hide how they feel from those who should be the most accepting of your struggles.
I totally understand saying that you have a physical ailment instead of saying you have depression. I’ve done that before because people seem more ready to accept that as a reason to stay in bed. <3