David passed away on 4 January 2020, shortly before the release of this video. David Schmidt cared deeply about mental health, and we now publish this video in memory of his kindness and his strength.
Xiaojie
Jan 2020
In the first of a new video series from CandleX, Founder Xiaojie’s old friend David shares his experience joining a support group for those struggling with mental health problems. If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time, scroll to the bottom of this article to find out how to sign up for CandleX’s peer support group or access other crisis support hotlines. Call Lifeline free in China on 400 821 1215 from 10 am to10 pm, 365 days a year.
“It’s not just what I get from it – it’s also what I can give to it,” says David, an American man in his late seventies, when asked exactly what brings him back to the support group he attends in his local area every week without fail. It’s a testament to the value of giving back to the community and finding your place, and to David’s kind heart, which shines through in this video interview with CandleX director Xiaojie Qin.
David Schmidt in Tecumseh Michigan, Photo by Xiaojie
David may be living in a different continent, but the video makes it clear that some of the issues that he has faced are universal – who hasn’t felt some alienation when moving to a new place? Or wished that they had someone to listen to them in a non-judgmental setting? Attending a support group specific to your needs can be a valuable way to work through your issues. Watch the video below to find out more about David’s story:
If you live in China, you can watch from our Tencent channel:
If you live abroad from China, you can go watch from our Youtube channel:
Next time we will share David’s brother Don’s experience with a family member living with mental health issues.
Questions? Comments? E-mail us at info@candlex.cn.
