Clinically depressed woman wants to be a recording artiste

Tricia Watson has been fighting with clinical depression for more than 10 years, but now she has found a remedy that helps her better than pills: music.

Watson, who has four children, said two of them are mentally ill, and she has to be taking care of them, herself and her mother.

Labelled as a 'mad woman', she told THE STAR that she has difficulty keeping a job and that, too adds to the pressure.

"I feel like an outcast and because of what is happening to me and my children, I feel stigmatised. But music is like therapy for me; music for me is a calling. It is a message, and based on what is happening to me, I know that there are other people out there who are going through my thing, and probably even worse. I want them to know that they can overcome whatever they are going through," she said.

The 44-year-old said that because of her condition, no one wants to hire her.

"I used to work as a janitor but when I do, I go through stigmatisations. People call mi mad woman, Medusa. I don't think that I should be ashamed. I didn't go buy it at a shop; I didn't go and ask for it; I was diagnosed," she said.

She sees music as the only way out because it will not only be therapeutic, it can be a source of income.

Psychiatrist Dr Anthony Allen indicated that music and sounds can be very therapeutic for persons who are mentally ill.

"Depression is a mental illness. The brain isn't functioning properly and because of that, one can lose control of oneself. Music now can be extremely positive and can bring healing. So, music itself can bring healing qualities," he said.

Watson said that she would appreciate help from persons while she integrates herself in the music industry, as currently she is not working, cannot pay her $10,000 a month rent, or even find food to eat.

"Doing the music, it does not stop me from selling two bag juice. But getting a piece a land, board, zinc, steel would help. I can't pay the rent and I don't want to end up on the sidewalk because then people would not look at me," she said.

Persons wishing to assist Watson, can contact her at 876-451-5333.