This is Mental Illness Awareness week and the Owen Sound chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association is doing its part to draw attention to the stigma associated with depression.
To that end the Association is bringing one of Canada’s most famous hockey players to talk about his personal battle with depression.
Ron Ellis, Stanley Cup Champion and 1972 Summit Series star will be speaking in Owen Sound over the noon hour.
In 1986, Ellis began one of the toughest battles of his life, his battle with depression.
He often says winning the Stanley Cup was nothing compared to his battle with mental illness.
Ellis now is an advocate for mental illness and uses public speaking to draw attention to the stigma associated with depression.
Ellis went public with his story as the co-writer of his biography, Over the Boards: The Ron Ellis Story.
He says one of the many questions he is asked about his battle is how does a Stanley cup Champion and successful hockey player on Team Canada 72, get depressed.
Ellis says depression knows no boundary’s and can hit anyone any time.
He says the most important thing a person battling depression can do is seek professional help as soon as possible.
Ellis says depression cant be cured, but can be treated and controlled which he is now doing through medication.
Ron Ellis will be speaking at Tuscanys Restaurant in Owen Sound — beginning at Noon today.