Mental health has impacted my life in so many ways, more than I would have ever imagined. This idea of mental health truly bewilders me beyond belief, the psychology, neurology and research amazes me. But there is still one question I have yet to find a true answer for, Why does this broad health condition impact so many lives, but no one wants to talk about it?
I just want to know why.
Why do you get into people’s minds that their body isn’t enough? Because isn’t having the ability to walk, run, breathe, laugh and love enough for you?
As my mom recently told me a story of a friend who is battling an Eating Disorder, all I could think was why? Why is this story far too common? Why do I know people who count their calories as if one were to count their steps in a day? Why do I know people who take diet pills and have since high school?
Why do you keep people wide awake at night, thinking about all the wrongs in their day, or the ‘What Ifs’? Why did one of my best friends have an anxiety attack while sitting in her room? Why is it fair she cannot ever feel relaxed?
Why do tell someone the more they drink, the better things will get? Because substances are temporary relief for a curable pain. Why does the girl who fails her bio exam, get smashed to deal with the failing grade?
Why do you impact so many lives and think it's okay? Because it's not.
It's not okay because there is a mom out there who has to drop her daughter off at residential treatment and pray by the grace of God that she finds herself again. There are siblings out there who don't understand the word 'Suicide' until it's too late.
There are so many kids who lay in bed all night, because they can't relax enough to fall asleep. There are kids out there who don't know what sober dad is like and never will until he's on his death bed with an IV and oxygen mask, hoping modern medicine will save him.
Crazy thing is, each one of these examples is someone I know.
Mental Health is easily one of the most common health conditions thrown under the rug. Why? Beats me.
And that is my why? Why does no one know the answer to the questions I asked? I have always thought if no one knows why or how something happens, who will figure it out? Which is where my entire motto of nursing comes into play...
If not me, who?
Because of all the personal experiences, I want to do pediatric psychiatric mental health. I want to help these kiddos before they get so far down in the twister that they don't want to be pulled out or physically can't.
And I will leave this article with my passion, love and a quote that resinates with me regarding mental health.
"Let today be the day you stop living within the confines of how others define or judge you" -Steve Maraboli
