By CHAT News Today

Brooks councillor announces resignation; byelection to be held

May 24, 2018 | 11:12 AM

BROOKS, AB — The City of Brooks will be holding a byelection later this year to fill a vacancy after a councillor resigned this week.

Michael Glynn Macdonald made the announcement during the regular meeting on Tuesday, stating he is stepping down for personal reasons, relating to ongoing struggles with depression and anxiety.

Macdonald was elected to council during the 2017 civic election. He previously served one term from 2004-2007.

Macdonald says he was first diagnosed with depression when he was 19 years old, and was later diagnosed with anxiety. While he has treated the conditions with both medication and therapy over the years, he says for many years, he would throw himself into his work as a coping mechanism.

“With my depression and anxiety, the busier I was, the happier I was,” he said. “I didn’t have to think about things I didn’t have to. Having a job, running for council, having a family was perfect for me. I could do all that, and serve and do the things that I love to do.”

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Macdonald says in the first five years of his diagnosis, he had trouble staying on his medication, saying he felt depression and anxiety was “a personal flaw,” and he was ashamed about it.

“I didn’t speak to anybody about it, it was a private hell of mine that I lived in for many years,” he said, noting once a doctor helped him understand that it was a chemical imbalance, he was able to stay on his medication.

Macdonald says he tried to get into a mental health program in Ponoka, but was not accepted, and felt it was time to step away from his duty as a councillor to help deal with his health. He also wants to bring awareness to mental health issues in Alberta.

“We need to start a dialogue where people understand, and want to understand, because we still don’t talk about it, we don’t talk about mental health issues,” he said.

He says he has received support from his fellow council members.

“If it hadn’t been for council’s support, I would’ve had a much harder time with this,” he said. “I can’t thank them enough.”

In a news release, Mayor Barry Morishita also offered his support. “Councillor Macdonald has served our community admirably in many capacities over the years,” he wrote. “I support him as he makes this very difficult decision and I offer my support and wish him the best as he moves forward.”

The town will be holding a byelection to fill the vacancy.

The date for the byelection, as well as the nomination deadline, will be set during the next council meeting on June 4.