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MHAMT Honors Paula Sandidge
Most nonprofit volunteers come and go, but a retired anesthesiologist in Nashville is being recognized for her contributions as a leading woman in 100 years of mental health advocacy.
Paula Sandidge, MD, graduated from the University of Georgia Medical School in 1960 and was soon offered a position on the anesthesiology faculty at Vanderbilt University. Shortly after beginning her practice, Paula married and started a family, and for twenty years she worked to balance her stressful medical career and her family’s needs, oftentimes neglecting her own health.
Paula suspected she was suffering from depression, but her strenuous work and life’s demands afforded her little time to seek help. She took a sabbatical in 1982, and her illness became more acute without having any structure and routine. Subsequent to seeing a psychiatrist and taking medication, Paula began to feel better. Her depression continued until she was hospitalized for six weeks. She was again hospitalized for depression after closing her medical practice of 30 years. She finally found effective treatment in Texas at a program that was designed for professionals and executives.
Paula came to the Mental Health Association of Middle TN in 1992 in search of a support group. Prior to sharing her story about depression and recovery as part of the National Depression Screening Day, Paula had not discussed her illness with friends, professional colleagues, or her parents. “Until then I had denied it. I had gone through psychiatric training in school, but I thought others would say I was crazy,” says Paula. Her story was published in The Tennessean, and her advocacy and education role with the Mental Health Association was launched.
Since 1993, Paula has participated in many conferences and seminars related to depression and depression screening. She has chaired several committees and served on the Board of Directors of the local and national Mental Health Association; and she has been equally active on other health-related nonprofits in Middle TN. In 1997 she was awarded the Clifford W. Beers Award by the National Mental Health Association, its highest service award.
The national Mental Health Association, now known as Mental Health America, is celebrating 100 years of advocacy throughout 2009. Because several mental illnesses are more prevalent in women, the Mental Health Association of Middle TN recognizes and thanks Dr. Paula Sandidge for her leadership.
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