World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is a great way to raise awareness of mental illnesses and the stigma surrounding them. However, this is something we all need to remember year-round.

Mental health conditions aren’t a choice

They aren’t something you can just ignore and wish away. They are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain and can be triggered by traumatic or life-changing events. No one wants to be an anxious ball of stress or to be a depressed shell of who they once were. If we could make a wish for it to go away or make it disappear with happy thoughts, exercise, meditation, or herbal tea we would.

Mental illness is frustrating and exhausting

We have highs and lows. Some days are better than others. One day, you can jump out of bed feeling ready to conquer the world. Then the next day, you simply can’t get out of bed, and every movement and task take an extreme amount of willpower. You may have days that start out gloomy but improve greatly. You may have days that start on a high note and go downhill. You may even have days that feel like a rollercoaster, tossing you every which way. Not every day will go perfectly, but every day that you keep going is perfect.

Mental illness has many faces

They can be deceiving, hidden behind big smiles, wide eyes and cheerful expressions forced into place to avoid detection. We can put on a rehearsed look of “all is right with the world” and appear to be happy and carefree because we don’t want to be judged by our anxiety or other mental health conditions. Just because we don’t look anxious or don’t constantly have panic attacks does not mean we don’t struggle. Many muster the courage to trudge through the school day or work week. Without professional intervention, some are pushed by their pain, joining nearly 46,000 people each year in the U.S. who die by suicide.

Mental health is often ignored because it does not appear as a physical illness

Many people don’t seek treatment for their mental health for two main reasons: 1) their insurance doesn’t cover mental health treatment, and 2) there is still a huge stigma surrounding mental illness. It is still not commonly understood that having a mental illness isn’t under a person’s control, or that they do not always manifest physical symptoms. This does not negate the fact that they are real, diagnosable, and treatable, just like most physical illnesses.

Asking for help or talking to someone is NOT a weakness

As scary as it can sound, asking for help is the best thing you can do for yourself. If you feel off, alone or like your mind is a broken-record incapable of hearing a new tune, talk to a friend, family member or medical professional about what’s going on. It may be the life raft that saves you from drowning in your sorrows. Take that first step toward receiving the help that you need.

Suicide can be prevented

Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

· Call or text 988

· Chat at 988lifeline.org

Connect with a trained crisis counselor. 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365.

Visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for more information at 988lifeline.org