This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at GCU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

The month of May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, and as a community of strong women, it is important that we set an example of leadership on our campuses, abolish the stigma that is placed around mental illnesses, and inform those suffering that they are not alone.

As someone who has been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, I understand the struggle that is experienced on a daily basis for those with similar mental health conditions. Although it is different for everybody, in my experience it brings feelings of restlessness, fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability, and insomnia. There have been many times in which I had little to no desire to get out of bed in the morning and go about my day as I should.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults in the United States experiences some form of mental illness each year. One in six youth between the ages of 6 to 17 in the U.S. experience a mental health disorder each year. 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by the age of 14 and 75% begin by the age of 24, and suicide is the second leading cause of death among people between the ages of 10 to 14.

Chances are you and/or multiple people you know are suffering with a mental illness. Thankfully, there are incredible mental health treatments available such as therapy, medication, and self-care, but the most difficult part is admitting help is needed.

NAMI also states that, in 2020, 46.2% of adults in the United States with mental illnesses received treatment, 64.5% with serious mental illness received treatment, and in 2016 only 50.6% of youth between 6 to 17 years old with a mental health disorder received treatment. The average delay between the onset of mental illness symptoms and treatment is 11 years.

Mental illness is challenging to explain to those who do not experience it themselves. For many, it is the constant fear of being by themselves and getting lost in their head, the feeling of not being worthy of love, and the feeling of being an outcast and separated from those you care about because they do not understand your experience.

The main reasons that stigma around mental health exists are a lack of awareness, lack of education, perception, and fear of people with mental illness. Some of the most common phrases I have heard about my mental illness are, “You have no reason to feel that way, you come from a good family”, and “It is all in your head.” Phrases like this perpetuate the stigma and make those who suffer from a mental illness feel less worthy as if they do not have a right to feel the way they do.

To show support for this month here are a few things you can do:

Educate yourself! There is a lot of information out there about mental illnesses; educate yourself on facts and statistics and learn how to communicate effectively with someone who is struggling.

Wear a green ribbon! This will show those struggling that they are not alone, and it will also invite questions, allowing you the opportunity to educate others and bring awareness about mental health.

Share resources! There are many resources out there, but it is difficult to ask for help. Share resources with your friends and on social pages to make it easier for others to find help.

Offer emotional support! Ask others how they are doing and what you can do to help them. Just listen to them and avoid confirming or denying their feelings.