280# How to Deal with Anxiety & Depression

China McCarney started the movement Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression because he deals with Anxiety on a daily basis and felt the need and desire to “Be The Change” instead of waiting for a change. China resisted and fought his anxiety disorder for 5 years before he finally decided to attack it head on. He discovered that the second he embraced Anxiety as just being a part of who he was, just like all of his other attributes, it no longer had the severe crippling effect that it had in the past. As he began to study Anxiety and Depression he realized what a stigma the mental health issues had. That stigma is a huge part of the problem. People feel they have to be embarrassed because they are dealing with one or more of these issues and they hide and hold on to it as tightly as they possibly can. This is the change China wanted and wants to see. There is nothing to be ashamed of and if we can create a movement and community where people can share whatever they are going through, and feel support, it will help tremendously. The funds raised by AAAD will go towards resources for anyone dealing with mental health issues. The funds will partly go to big organizations that are constantly doing research to find cures and effective treatments. The funds will also go towards providing education and resources for individuals dealing with Anxiety and Depression. The hardest thing in life is to simply start. China started by attacking his anxiety disorder head on, seeking counseling and embracing 100% of who he is. He still deals with Anxiety on a daily basis and it is a battle. However, it is a battle he is proud to fight and he wants EVERYONE to join him! Here we have a open and frank talk about how to deal with depression.