subject: Shopping Mall Solution for Depression [print this page] Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Gene Collier wrote, in an article titled "Football's Hard Knocks Educating," that the mall (Ross Park, a Simon property in Pittsburgh, PA) had been "a healing place for me."
The article discussed the relationship between football head injuries and mental illness, as well as my book, "Blessed with Bipolar," 90%of which was written in the food court of Ross Park Mall.
I played football in high school and as a freshman at Georgia Tech in 1980. During my "career," I was diagnosed with two concussions. Eight years later, I was hospitalized and diagnosed with major depression. One year after that, I was hospitalized again and diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Mr. Collier is correct. The mall (Ross Park, in particular) has been "a healing place" for me. So, I sat down in the food court recently and tried to figure out what specifically is so emotionally therapeutic about shopping malls.
Here is what I came up with:
1. Seeing People I do not Know. How is this therapeutic? When I am out among people I do not know, I don't want them to see that I am feeling miserable. So, I force myself to look moderately happy or at least okay. And, sooner or later, making myself look better than I feel makes me feel better.
2. Getting Out Among the Living while Feeling Half-Dead. I was in a state of shock after I lost a lawsuit that had consumed much of my time, attention, and energy for over four years. I had believed that the loss would devastate me. I eventually forced my shocked self out of the house and made it to Ross Park Mall. I was a little stunned to find out that in spite of my loss, people were going on with life - and living. And seeing and feeling that energetic life force in the mall (!) made me realize that I was still alive and had a life to live. That moment changed me. I knew that, regardless of my loss, God had given me a great life - and everything I need.
3. Being Able to Choose Whether to Interact or Just Be There. In addition to being among people and re-involved with living at the mall, I can choose whether to interact with people or just hang-out without being judged. That makes the mall an emotionally safe place for an emotionally troubled person to attempt to get back in the game. And getting back in the game - safely - helps to lift depression.
4. Malls are Aesthetically Pleasing Places. Malls are specifically designed to be attractive to the customer. They are made to look, feel, and sound pleasant and enjoyable to the people who frequent them. That makes for an uplifting atmosphere. And when you have been buried face-down in the couch with the lights out and the shades drawn for a few days, you need an uplifting atmosphere. Malls provide that atmosphere.
5. Friendly and Helpful Employees. Surprise! Surprise! Mall employees are motivated to sell you goods and services. Therefore, if they wish to succeed, they will treat you well. They will provide "service with a smile." And receiving a smile - even if it is forced and coercive - feels good. It might even lead you to return a semi-forced smile. And once that ball gets rolling, you are in danger of wondering what happened to your depression.
6. The Mental Stimulation. Yes, believe it or not, shopping malls can be mentally stimulating. When I was in Law School, I went to the food court of malls to read cases and prepare for class. Just being around the mall activity got my brain lighting up - rather than cracking-up. In contrast, studying in the library felt like being in prison. And I did write 90% of my book in the food court of Ross Park Mall. A lit up brain is just about the opposite of a depressed mind. And the mall does that for me.
Therefore, I sincerely thank Simon Malls for being, as columnist Gene Collier put it, one of my "healing places." Give it a try. Life is happening there! Yes, in the mall. And it's a place where you can safely - and at your own pace - get back to living. Especially if your feeling half-dead. (I hope that someday you will see me hosting my Radio Show there.)
