James Innes – Bitten by the Black Dog

President Katrina welcomed everyone to the meeting, including the speaker, James Innes, and also David Grieve, who was visiting the club. 

In her Interesting Rotary Information item, President Katrina highlighted a post from the Rotary GB & Ireland website:

“The State of the Nation Report” (published 21^st May 2020)

The report states that one of the silver linings to come out of the black cloud of COVID-19 is the number of people who have volunteered their services within their community.  Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland is urging people to continue their kindness, saying volunteering is not just for lockdown. It will have a vital role to play in the new normal world too.

In fact, people may need help and support more than ever once the current crisis is over, given the damage to the economy and the inevitable impact on employment along with spiraling issues around mental health and loneliness after the prolonged lack of physical contact with friends and family. And many people are keen to help. 

Research, conducted just before the first lockdown in March 2020, revealed that 59% of people believed they should be more productive in their spare time. Four out of ten people want to spend more time helping others and 55% of those questioned said that, as well as allowing them to help others, volunteering was good for their own mental health. 

President Katrina introduced James Innes - an author, broadcaster and a member of the Rotary Club of London.  His topic was “Bitten by the Black Dog”.  James explained that, in the past, this expression related to bad moods. However, now it is a metaphor for depression.

He said that he had been diagnosed with depression 26 years ago and he had never hidden this fact.  Many people keep their suffering of depression to themselves to avoid a negative reaction from people.  James believed that a problem shared was a problem halved.

Being a lively, outgoing person, he said that episodes of depression were difficult to cope with, giving a feeling of emptiness with motivation and positive energy being sucked into a black hole.  Depression is often described as a chemical imbalance in the brain.  It can also result from stressful and traumatic life experiences.  The present Covid-19 situation has been very difficult for many people and depression has risen from 10% of the population to 20% in one year.

James gave tips for minimising depression: a) Stay connected with others, b) Talk about your worries, c) Look after your physical health, d) Focus on what you can control, e) Don’t over-expose yourself to current news broadcasts, f) Keep your mind active, and, g) Get good quality sleep.

He also gave tips on how to help someone with depression: a) Let them know you care, b) Encourage them to help themselves, c) Suggest professional help and go with them, d) Get information on help available, e) Be patient with them, and, f) Don’t say “Pull yourself together”.

James answered a number of questions posed by the members.

In proposing the vote of thanks, Bill McCallum thanked James for sharing his story so openly with us before asked the members to show their appreciation.

President Katrina intimated that next week a tribute would be paid to Honorary Member Hughes Lumsden who had passed away in December. A moment’s silence would follow.  Any member who would like to give the tribute should contact her.

Willie Talbot reported that the following Bonus Ball winners: 19 December – John McGeary; 26 December – Tom Sleith; 2 January – Paul Begley. He also intimated that he had almost completed the accounts for the bonus Ball and Numbers Club up until 31^st December and would email members indicating debits and credits.

Secretary Ian read out an email from Rev. Terry Moran, of South Wishaw Parish Church, thanking members for the donation we had given towards the purchase of storage for the Foodbank run by the church. 

Treasurer Tom reported that:

The disbursement donations, agreed before Christmas, had been sent to Women’s Aid, Moira Anderson Foundation, Dress for Success Training & Support Programmes, South Wishaw Parish Church Food and Clothing Bank and the Jaipur Limb Project.  He was waiting for the bank details from the Salvation Army in Glasgow to enable the donation to be sent to them.

President Katrina had received an anonymous donation of £500 to be split between two charities of her choice.  As a result, the Salvation Army and Women’s Aid had benefitted by an extra £250 each.

Following a phone call from Andrew Murray, £59 left in the Cycle Run Account had been transferred into the Charities Account.

So far, £220 for the Les Hoey Foundation had been donated by members into the Charities Account.  Treasurer Tom said he would keep the fund open for any other members who wished to make a donation.  

Final Announcement: