Hey Landsberg!
Hey Landsberg! I always took it as a compliment when people told me I asked tough questions, but I think that if you want to ask tough questions- you should be able to answer them as well. We call this “Hey Landsberg!”
Hey Landsberg! is an interview by me, with me.
Hey Landsberg! What qualifies you to talk about mental health? I know for a fact you failed out of the University of Toronto!
Landsberg: I sure did, and I even failed first-year psychology. So, how am I qualified to talk about mental health? I figure I am an expert on what mental illness feels like and what it can do to our lives. I should add I think anyone who has been through what I’ve been through would qualify to do this.
Hey Landsberg! Okay, so what have you been through?
Landsberg: As a child, anxiety ruled my life. As an adult, I have been plagued by anxiety, and I’ve been devastated by depression. Oh yeah, and ADHD, but now I’m just bragging.
Hey Landsberg! You seem to want us to feel sorry for you
Landsberg: Not at all. I’m sharing details of my struggle because that’s what people relate to. The more candid and open I am, the more effective I can be at getting people to relate. In a way, my mental health struggles have become my credentials.
Hey Landsberg! Wait, I think I know you. Weren’t you that arrogant, pushy guy on TSN?
Landsberg: Yes, in some people’s minds, that was me. I hosted a daily talk show called Off the Record for 18 seasons and was seen by some (perhaps many) as being cocky and overly aggressive at times.
Hey Landsberg! You don’t seem to be bugged by what people think of you.
Landsberg: I learned early in my career that what viewers thought of me was their business - not mine. I always told people who said they didn’t like me- I respected their opinion because there is no such thing as a wrong opinion. I always knew who I was. I knew I wasn’t arrogant. It’s funny, after hearing that for years, it actually comes in handy now. I think that perception of me makes my story more relevant because a cocky, arrogant person hardly seems to be the kind of person who might be suffering from depression and anxiety.
Hey Landsberg! Are you an egomaniac? You must be. You keep saying ‘I’ and ‘me’
Landsberg: I can see why you would ask that. I want to say I and me rather than you. I want to speak in the first person because I want to show people this is real. This is genuine. This is my story. Being genuine is the currency I trade in.
Hey Landsberg! Why did you call this First Step?
Landsberg: Because so many of us fail to take that first step’ towards getting help. So many of us leave resources like EFAP (employee family assistance program) and insurance benefits untouched. We try to encourage you to think about your mental health, and, if needed, reach out and take that first step.
Hey Landsberg! Who is First Step for?
Landsberg: First Step is for you if:
You haven’t ever really thought about your mental health.
You wonder if you’re as mentally healthy as you could be.
You know you aren't well, but you’re ashamed to say itbecause of the stigma.
You care about someone who is going through a mental health battle, and you want to provide them with the best help possible.
You are desperate for entertainment because you’ve watched everything on Netflix and this is all you’ve got.
Hey Landsberg! Regarding that last comment - do you think mental illness is a joke?
Landsberg: Far from it. I just know that you can have fun without making fun.
Hey Landsberg! How should people watch it?
Landsberg: I suggest you watch it over several days. Perhaps one module (three chapters) a day. That’s around 15 minutes. Watching all six modules at once is risky and needs a disclaimer: Warning. Watching all of First Step in one sitting could leave you fed up and tired of the host. Viewer discretion is advised.
Hey Landsberg! What are possible first steps if you convince me I should pursue help.
Landsberg: You likely have many options.
- If you’ve never spoken with anyone about your mental health- find one person to share with. I found for some, sharing is an acquired skill. Every time you do, it gets a bit easier.
- Find out what is available to you through your employment contract. This could include both insurance benefits and an EAP (employee assistance program).
- Make an appointment with your family doctor if you have one. Sadly, not all of us do.
- Every community has resources available to you.
Hey Landsberg! Be honest, will First Step bore me? So many other mental health programs have been too clinical and too unrelatable.
Landsberg: I can’t make any promises, but I think you’ll find this different from anything you’ve seen. Before starting to create First Step, I watched every mental health program I could find. There are some very effective ones, but I found few I could really relate to and even fewer that attempted to be even slightly fun. The lack of emotional engagement, real-life context, and spontaneity are what motivated me to do this. If you can’t relate to anything we say, or if you feel like we’ve talked down to you, then we’ve failed. Apologies in advance.
Hey Landsberg! What does that tattoo on your arm represent?
Landsberg: It says 11 24 08 YUL MH521 0400. You have to watch to find out.
Hey Landsberg! What snacks do you suggest I get while watching?
Landsberg: This is a key question. Try to vary it up. Six modules, six different treats. A snack should enhance the experience and not dirty your phone or keyboard. That rules out Cheezies.
Obviously, I’m kidding. Cheezies are way too awesome to ignore.
