breaking the stigma.

Mental health. It’s something we hear of so often in movies, social media, advertisements, etc… but something so rarely talked about on a daily basis. It’s secretive, shameful. At least, that’s how society tends to make us feel. As if those who struggle are unfixable, broken, less than. Helpless. People are made to feel that they will just always be “different” than everyone else, with no one who understands, no one to talk to.

It can make these struggles feel isolating, make us feel unworthy. With no escape, no hope, no way out.

I’m sure that there have been times when each of us has felt alone. We’ve all failed, haven’t we? Had conflicts, faced change, and made decisions that led us to the point we are at today? Yet, maybe some are facing an internal struggle, battling with their minds late at night, or feeling incapable of getting out of bed. Maybe the tears won’t stop flowing even when nothing’s wrong, or life just seems too overwhelming. Or, maybe it’s external: a disease, an injury deeming you powerless to do the things you love. Spending time with the people you love. Spending time with the people and places that make you feel whole, leaving you feeling empty and broken inside.

Many of us have been there, lost and feeling like there’s no way out. The walls are closing in with no light peeking through, and you’re drowning in a pool of thick, black mud. There’s no running away from all the voices in your head, the voices that were never welcome to begin with.

If so many have gone through something, serious or fleeting, why do we not normalize this? Why do we isolate ourselves further, forcing ourselves to deal with the problem at hand alone, fearing rejection, judgment, or rumors? When will the stigma of taking care of our mental health cease to exist?

Playful remarks about psychological illnesses are casually tossed about; we use words so loosely and frequently that they somehow lose their meanings. We feel “depressed” after watching a sad movie, feel “bipolar” on a particular day, laugh at our “OCD” side when we feel like organizing, wish we had an eating disorder to fit a certain body type, etc. In everyday life, educated people and even family members can make subtle and demeaning comments. For instance, when I was considering becoming a psychologist, adults have asked me why I would want to talk to “crazy” people.

People tend to forget - these are real people. The very person they are making fun of may be sitting right next to them. Their family member may start suffering from the very same struggle at a later date. A close friend may be going through the exact same situation. How many times have we heard of a suicide, and those closest to the person had no idea they were struggling? Unfortunately, many of us are all too caught up in mainstream stereotypes and miss vital cues from a friend in need.

The truth is, a little less than half of our country’s adults receive mental health treatment within a given year. For teenagers, half of them struggle or have struggled with this, ¼ of those being severe.

Think about that.

That means that every year, about one of two people you know will be struggling with psychological issues. Out of a group of ten friends, about four or five will be struggling with this.

Why isn’t this talked about more?? Why are we all so hidden in our shells that we can’t help each other, or at least help ourselves?

Mental health is not your fault. It’s not something chosen; it’s written in your genes and influenced by life events. These struggles don’t make someone any less of a valuable and worthy individual. Just as someone is not their physical health (a broken bone, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, etc.), you are not your struggle. We all deal with obstacles in our lives, they just all look a little different. It’s time we start growing up and showing up for each other. It's time we break the stigma.

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Please reach out with any questions or comments, and please be more aware and more supportive of those who are struggling. I am going to try to start writing more blogs on mental health, so if you have anything to contribute/want to know more about, please fill out the forms below!

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Sources: National Institute of Health