We are all familiar with it. Someone brings up feeling depressed or anxious in our friend group and glances are exchanged, and everyone looks down at their feet. No one wants to talk about mental health, but if a friend had diabetes or cancer folks would rally around. Here in the south we bring sick friends casseroles or send cards when we know someone is seriously ill, but those with mental illness are expected to soldier on without a word, painting smiles on their faces as if nothing at all is wrong.

This flippant, shunning, attitude towards mental illness kills people. I'm not exaggerating, according to the National Institute of Health, suicide is the 10^th leading cause of death in the United States as of 2016. Suicide and other mental health issues are issues that society would have us brush off as issues of those who are unwell, or those people who have "issues." Mental health struggles affect the majority of American society in some way, shape, form or fashion.

This is easily preventable. We need to start talking about mental health. Depression and anxiety are two of the leading mental health issues in America and affect around 40% of college students according to the American Psychological Association. I don't mean to bore you with statistics about suicide and depression, but my intention, dear reader, is to say, wake up! These problems are rampant in this country, people are dying, especially young people.

But friends, know there is hope, the solution, while complex and requiring professionals in one sense, is simple in another regard. All of us can gradually become okay with talking about mental health. Mental health scares so many people because they just do not know what to say. Simply be there for your friend who is struggling, don't disappear because you are unsure of what to do or say.

You can be the difference between your friend feeling supported and utterly alone at the moment they need a friend the most. So bring the casserole over, offer to do a load of their laundry, send a funny card, shoot them "how are ya?" text. These simple things are a great start to helping a friend struggling with mental health.

Beyond helping a friend, encourage them most important to seek professional help. Talking to a therapist can be scary at first, but can also be one of the most beneficial things a person struggling with mental health can do. Seeking professional help can be beneficial in many ways. It can lead to self- discovery and the finding of strength one never knew one had. Seeking help for mental health issues is courageous, not cowardly. Seeking professional help has the potential to save one's life. If you're having a hard time, know there is light at the end of the tunnel, help is available, and life is worth living.

Below are local and national resources for mental health assistance:

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

http://www.ecu.edu/cs-studentaffairs/counselingcenter/

https://naminc.org/programs/