The stigma that has been patched onto mental illness has silenced people for many years from reaching out for treatment or talking about troubling mental states. The lack of conversation has bred a lack of understanding and knowledge as inaccurate portrayals of depression, anxiety, and PTSD have been misrepresented in multiple types of media. This exaggerated portrayal has led many, including myself, to believe that to justify going to therapy or asking for support one must be on the brink of a breakdown or deep in dysfunction.
Unfortunately, the lack of discussion leads to people suffering from their affliction longer than they truly need to or even living their whole life without relief. Knowing the miraculous difference that a therapist, modern medication, and holistic practices have made to foster my mental health has been life-changing for me, and it all began by asking for help.
Over the last several years, the United States has seen an increase in mental illness cases and reports of suffering from mental illness. While this reflects a rise in conversation around mental health, this does not reflect how many people are silently suffering or still don’t understand what mental illness truly is.
As I grew up, people in my family and the friends around me suffered from depression, addiction, anxiety, and traumatic events but I had no idea. I thought because they still went to work, laughed, engaged in conversation, or had a group of friends that all was well in their internal world. So, I thought that I was the only one struggling which silenced me.
The thought of discussing mental ailments or any struggles in our lives is vulnerable and scary. It is uncomfortable revealing the “dark” side of ourselves to others as we so often place high expectations on showing up and being outstanding, I have heard accounts from peers, friends, and family that they believe there is a standard they have to meet every day; it is true we want to be the best version of ourselves, but we believe this means excluding the difficult pieces of life. Instead, we should be looking at the whole being and create awareness around the painful and the blissful parts of the self.
As difficult as it can be to speak up about mental illness, it is necessary. But because normalizing therapy and seeking mental health support is still in its early stages, many people don’t know where to start. I was 17 when I was first presented with the understanding of how depression and anxiety truly worked and was presented with the opportunity to get help. But this is because I was tired of feeling poorly without knowing why.
There is power in asking for help, and there is power in talking about what is going on.
When I started to discuss with others what I was going through, they were able to better understand what mental illness really entailed. Similarities are often found when we openly talk about struggle because we are all experiencing the human condition. It is more common than we once believed to be experiencing depression, doubt, fear, excessive worry, addiction, or obsessions.
It is important to talk about mental health to find the necessary resources for us to get help. It is important to talk about mental health to show others that they are not alone. It is important to talk about mental health so other people may understand what we are going through. It is important to talk about mental health because we all deserve to be heard and helped.
Whether it is discussing struggles with our loved ones, a doctor, a friend, or a mentor, there is a conversation to be made around mental health. There are more resources available than ever before and can be found through conversation or by speaking with professionals.
Be raw, be honest, and be courageous as we begin to speak more about mental health. There is a world of acceptance, love, and joy on the other side of these struggles and conversations.