9 Mental Health Stories You NEED To Read This Month
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

9 Vulnerable Stories That Were Shared This World Mental Health Day

Everyone has a mental health experience. These creators bravely shared their stories with us.

10691
9 Vulnerable Stories That Were Shared This World Mental Health Day

Everyone has a mental health story. Whether it's a story that's shared publicly or privately, it's something that has the ability to make a big impact in someone's life. For many, these mental health stories are ongoing, ever-changing in how they play a part in an individual's life.

Odyssey believes in the community that can be formed when these stories are shared. As October 10 was World Mental Health Day, many of our creators took the opportunity to speak out about their personal struggles with mental illnesses.

1. I Was Diagnosed With ADHD At 24 Year Old — I Was Right When I Thought Something Was Wrong

As an adult who'd seen others diagnosed with ADHD, this creator shares how a later diagnosis caused her to wonder what could have been done if things were recognized earlier. ADHD is largely undiagnosed in females, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to realize. Once a diagnosis is received, you can take one step at a time to gain positive, helpful coping mechanisms, no matter what stage of life you're in.

2. I'm Not The Only One Who's Experiencing Social Anxiety For The First Time

College students, amidst studying for midterms, are having to adapt to 2020's "new normal," which largely consists of not doing things they'd normally do — mainly anything related to social life. This creator shares how that isn't just boring, but it's actually been detrimental to her mental wellness. The prolonged isolation has made an impact on how she now interacts with others — she knows this isn't a problem she's facing alone, but that doesn't make the loneliness go away.

SEE ALSO: Social Anxiety Isn't Just Being Nervous, It Impacts Me Every Single Day

3. The Voices In My Head Consistently Give Me Hell, But I'm Learning To Work Through It

Everyone's stream of consciousness has the ability to wreak havoc on their life. This creator shares how her thoughts and insecurities have overwhelmed her, causing her restlessness and harmful self-consciousness.

4. What You Need To Know About Sexual Assault, From Someone Who's Been There

After growing tired of others telling her how she should feel, this creator took her sexual assault story and told it to the world, in hopes of others recognizing that they are not defined by what happened to them. She bravely shares her experience and the healing that had to take place afterward.

5. I Thought OCD Ruined My Life, But Now I've Changed For The Better

Mental illnesses are not impossible to overcome and this creator makes that very clear as she recounts her journey with OCD. From a beginning full of panic attacks and fear to a hopeful ending of strength and resilience, progress was clearly made. The OCD is not gone, but this creator will be the first to tell you that it didn't win.

SEE ALSO: You've Got To Stop Saying, 'I'm So OCD,' When You're Really Just Organized

6. Having Depression When Your Spouse Is In The Army Is A Harsh Reality

This creator shares how certain circumstances (such as a deployed husband) can set off certain mental health triggers. She honestly recalls how her depression has shifted based on location, scenario, and phase of life — really, anything can be a help or hindrance to mental illnesses.

7. 10 Things I've Done For My Mental Health Since Last Year's World Mental Health Day

Growth and progress is something to be celebrated, and that's exactly what this creator is doing! It's true that a lot can happen in a year. With some simple adjustments, healthy habits, and strong support system, your mental health does not have to stay where it is forever. It's hard work, but moves can be made.

8. Everyone Should Go To Therapy At Least Once, Even If You're Feeling Great

The stigma behind going to therapy is slowly, but surely, shrinking, especially as more people who have benefited from it speak out about their experience. This creator discusses how therapy has made a positive impact on her life, from the moment she started going at 14 years old.

9. Mental Illness Is Messy, And It Affects Everyone Differently

This creator's message rings simple and true: "On this World Mental Health Day, I hope you know that mental illness is messy, it's not clear cut, planned out, or a revised thing. It affects you differently every time it makes its return. It hits you at the most random times. And it's a constant, life-long journey."

No matter where you are in your mental health journey, there are people who understand what you're going through. While your story is uniquely yours, there is no shortage of people who have felt the weight of mental health in their own lives.

If you have a mental health story you'd like to share, please email Odyssey's Health and Wellness Editor at lily.moe@theodysseyonline.com.

Report this Content
Featured

To The 'Best Friend' I Decided I Couldn't Be Friends With Anymore

Most of all, thank you for being the person who finally pushed me to choose myself.

94691
The CW / YouTube

Dear Old Friend,

Keep Reading... Show less
Lifestyle

7 Tips For Traveling

Don't miss any of these ideas to make your trip complete!

953
7 Tips For Traveling

Whether it's a day trip, an out-of-state journey, or an experience leaving the country, here are some tried and true traveling tips.

Before any trip, we all think about what to pack and what to bring. We may have a strict itinerary, or we may have looser guidelines for what to do when. But we should also consider the following - make them goals:

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

Writer of the Month: Hunter Johnstone

As an aspiring author, Hunter knew writing for Odyssey would be a great fit for her.

1417
Writer of the Month: Hunter Johnstone

Response writers are what make the world go round at Odyssey! Using our response button feature, they carry on our mission of sparking positive, productive conversations in a polarized world.

Keep Reading... Show less
Allison Fishman

1. Why is Wilson Hall so complicated to navigate? Even as a senior, I still get lost in Wilson. As a freshman, I was warned about the unnecessary complexity of the building, was laughed at by upperclassman for my confused looks on the first day of school and walked and rewalked the whole hall before finding my classroom. #annoying.

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

Blair Waldorf For governor of new york

What life would be like if the people were led by Queen B.

2572
Blair Waldorf For governor of new york

Cynthia Nixon, a.k.a Miranda from Sex and the City, is running for governor of New York. I think that this would be the best decision that has been made in a while solely based off of the fact that almost no one knows New York like the cast of Sex and the City. This got me thinking about who else would be a good candidate to take over the city of dreams. Then I realized that Blair Waldorf, if she were a real person, would be my number one choice for governor. Here are five reasons why Queen B would be an excellent ruler.

Keep Reading... Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments