John Melnick Speaking Services

I love playing golf, watching baseball, and viewing movies that make me think. I am a busy, professional speaker and new author, who balances a challenging schedule with spending time with my family. 

I also live with severe depression. With a supportive family, a good doctor, and the right medication, I am able to RISE ABOVE and live a full life and make a real contribution to my community. I am sharing my story because I want to get people talking about depression.

Face it—mental illness concerns us all.

On September 19, 2002, in the midst of a deep depression, I attempted suicide for the third time. I swam fully clothed in a business suit into the middle of the swift-flowing, deep Red River. In the middle of the river, I decided I wanted to live. I swam out and spent the next six weeks in the mental health ward at the Victoria General Hospital. I have been in recovery ever since.

I have concluded that we must smash the stigma which prevents us from speaking about mental health issues if we are to improve mental health conditions and RISE ABOVE.