Lindork’s Lists – Q&A #9: Angee Matson

Let’s Dive Into the Q&A with Angee:

1. I’ve really been interested in posts you share that are very vulnerable and talk about things I think that most people don’t usually share about, money (or lack of), paying down debt, saving up, privileges, etc. why do you share these topics?
   • We all have our own struggles in life, and mine have largely revolved around the treatment-resistant major depressive disorder that I had for over 12 years. My depression was so severe that at times I had trouble moving or speaking, but I was able to maintain a facade as a high-functioning person for a long time. It was incredibly isolating dealing with the struggles that come with a severe mental illness: financial pressures, debt, building social connections, attending to obligations, etc. And I found that no-one was really talking frankly about these things, so I felt like I was the only one dealing with them. As part of my treatment I attended many courses of group therapy, and there I learned I wasn’t alone; others were having the same struggles that I was. Eventually after we found a treatment for my depression, I started looking for a way to make meaning out of the battle I wanted for years.
   • With social media being such a powerful tool, I thought that it would be great to be the resource I wish I had when I was struggling. I want people to know that they’re not alone. I want them to feel free to open up to me about debt, sexual harassment, or feeling suicidal, and then I want to support them in finding resources. I also want to educate others who don’t struggle with mental illness, but may have to support someone who does have a diagnosis. If I can help people, it makes my struggle feel worth it.

   • I feel SO much better after an appointment w a counsellor at the Family Centre (TY for being a nonprofit that offers timely sliding scale counselling options).

     But I’m sad because I had to look so hard for this resource.

     Affordable, timely, counselling is suicide prevention.

     — Angee (@AngeeGabs) July 19, 2021

2. What do you hope people take away from your posts on things like poverty, intersectional feminism, politics, body positivity, and other topics you share?

   • I hope that my posts that raise awareness on being a woman/feminist, mental illness, body positivity, etc. help with the loneliness that can come when you’re struggling in a society that isn’t built for you. I want people to know that there are others out there like them, and I want to open up a conversation about supporting each other as we confront these challenges.
     

     I think there is a lot of power in community, but communities are built on relationships of trust, which requires vulnerability. I’m happy to use my ability to be vulnerable and authentic to help build a trusting, thriving community of authentic relationships.

3. You’ve mentioned before that you’d love to run for office (and that you weren’t sure if it was for you—and maybe you could effect change in other ways). Why did you or do you want to be actively engaged in local politics?

   • I have thought about running for office, but I’m worried that I’m still a little sensitive; I wear my emotions close to the surface. That said, I’m highly involved in local politics and I’m doing my best to uplift candidates I believe will make positive change in our city.
   • I’m also Vice Chair of the Women’s Advocacy Voice of Edmonton (WAVE) an advisory committee to the city that advises on women’s issues here in Edmonton. I believe politics is an enormous tool for change and it can affect people’s lives for the better. I’m involved because I want to support the political process as much as I can.

   • Normalize talking about salaries and work cultures.

     It prevents the abuse of marginalized people. It is a tool for equity!

     — Angee (@AngeeGabs) July 15, 2021

4. I respect you using your platform to talk about social issues and issues that affect our communities, have you always been doing this or have you really leaned into it the last few years?

   • I’ve always been interested in social justice and politics, but I also got bullied in high school, which affected my confidence. Then I ended up dealing with a life-altering mental illness diagnosis and trying my best to stay alive. Now that I’m in recovery, I’m starting to get my confidence and energy back to speak out on issues of importance in our society. It has been really liberating.

   • This is a pic of someone who had their depression go into remission because of ketamine treatments. I’m back to who I truly am: joyful, vibrant, charismatic!💛

     I’m SO glad ketamine is available through our public health system in AB; it’s life changing for many! #ableg #abhealth pic.twitter.com/LABVMfkq99

     — Angee (@AngeeGabs) June 25, 2021

5. I’d describe you as a fairly prolific social media user—can you talk about why you enjoy using social media? Benefits from your perspective? The community you have built? As well as challenges? And how you navigate those challenges?

   • I love social media because it allows you to expand your social network way beyond what is possible in person. It’s easy to find like-minded folks who want to discuss things they’re passionate about as well. The wealth of lived experience and knowledge in the small community I’ve built is overwhelming, and I love being able to share it with others.
   • Being vulnerable on social media does come with challenges though. People will open up to you about really intense situations in their lives, and you have to be ready to deal with that.
   • I am lucky to have worked in the social services sector and have the knowledge to support folks that are struggling.  Additionally, there will always be critics, and when you’re sharing highly personal content, it can be hard to shake those comments off. When this happens, I lean on my active followers to support me, and it helps remind me that THEY are who I’m trying to serve by creating my content, not the trolls.

   • The 1st time I very nervously spoke to #yegcc I critiqued the accessibility of a policy; it made a councillor so angry they questioned my intelligence & said “It’s like she didn’t even READ the policy.”
     I cried about it.
     Then I ran for a chair position on an advisory committee.

     — Angee (@AngeeGabs) June 13, 2021

6. Do you have highlights from the work you’ve done that you’d like to share?

   • The amount of people I’ve been able to support has been incredible, and mostly it happens through private DMs. I’ve talked suicidal people into going to emergency rooms to seek medical treatment, I’ve inspired people to go to therapy. I’ve shared women’s experiences of harassment with City Councillors. I’ve heard from folks that cleaned out their closets and bought clothes that actually fit them rather than small sizes they tried to squeeze into, people have been inspired to go back on medications that helped them. I’ve driven people home from the hospital that I met on social media, and I’ve helped connect people with nonprofits to assist them with getting a hold of their debt.
     

     It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to help others through my platforms, and most of it happens “behind the scenes.”