Our mental health affects us every single day. Everything that happens throughout your day whether small or big plays a large role and dictates your mood and mental health. Considering every one of us is affected by mental health then why is there such a stigma around it?
Although society has become more accepting of people’s feelings and mindsets there continues to be this sense of shame when mental health topics are brought up. Personally I have suffered from general and social anxiety and depression and it took years to admit to anyone that I needed help with my mental health. I didn’t tell anyone of my mental health battles until junior year. Deep down I was aware that my parents and best friends would support me if I told them and yet I was too scared they would feel pity toward me. I thought that if I spoke up then everyone would think I had “problems” and would think that there was something wrong with me. My entire life I would bottle up all of my emotions to the point that it was damaging my mental health even more. It was not until college that I decided to finally get help by seeing a therapist and getting on medication.
Opening up to my family and friends about my mental health made it feel like there was a weight lifted off my shoulders. Despite how hard it was to do this I knew it was for the best. I learned within the last few years that bottling your emotions is only going to hurt you. Pushing all of your feelings to the side will only cause more damage. It was not until I began opening up to my family and friends that I felt like things were beginning to change.
My experience is common as I am the only one keeping my mental health struggles to myself. I am one of millions. Society has conditioned us to believe that having mental health struggles is not okay or normal. In today’s world young adults feel a constant pressure to perform to the best of their ability and out perform everyone around them. The rise of social media has played a huge role in the mental health of all age groups. The percentage of people who struggle with poor mental health continues to rise. About 1 in 4 adults, 26%, struggle with their mental health. It is up to us to play a part in destigmatizing mental health. No one in this world is perfect. Do not think you are the only one who is going through something because I can guarantee you that a majority of the people surrounding you feel the same way. Remember: it is OKAY to not be okay.
Resources:
SAMHSA’s National Helpline- https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Mental Health America- https://www.mhanational.org
National Eating Disorders Association- https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/mental-health-resources/
American Association of Suicidology- https://suicidology.org