When we think of the word "healthy," we usually think of being healthy in terms of physical health. We go to doctor's appointments when we're sick or when we have to get an annual physical. So why is it that we neglect to mention mental health? There continues to be a widespread amount of misinformation on various mental illnesses, specifically depression and drug addiction, that have caused people to not feel comfortable about speaking up.
After all, there are so many television shows and movies that have glamorized and romanticized these illnesses in a way that causes viewers to believe that they will either not be noticed until they are no longer here, or that someone will randomly come along and make them feel better about themselves. In any case, it's important for people to know that the only way that they can truly get one step closer to recovery is if they are the ones making that choice for themselves and no one else. As recovery is an ongoing process with many ups and downs, it's essential that people know more about the complexities of mental health and how we as a society can continue to spread awareness, especially after recent events.
It seems as though every time I have gone on social media recently, I found out that a famous person, usually a musician, has lost or almost lost their battle with mental illness. After hearing the stories of Robin Williams, Chester Bennington, Anthony Bourdain, Kate Spade, Demi Lovato, Mac Miller, and many others, people are finally starting to speak up about this issue. While a large number of those who are well-known in the media have sent their condolences to those affected as well as advice for how to help those who are struggling, not all of these comments have been positive. For example, while millions of people expressed their concern and sent positive thoughts to Demi Lovato after her nearly fatal drug overdose, there were a select few people who shamed and dehumanized her because of her struggle with addiction. This dehumanization of people who have suffered or continue to suffer from drug addiction is unfortunately common and prevents others from being educated about this horrific disease. Unfortunately, it doesn't end there.
After Mac Miller's recent and upsetting death, some people stated that Ariana Grande was responsible for his death because she ended their toxic relationship instead of acknowledging the larger issue at hand: that Miller suffered from drug addiction for many years. This idea that women are solely responsible for a man's death is not only extremely misogynistic but also continuously contributes to the stigma that people are unable to speak up about mental illness, specifically men. Since men are less likely to speak up about their mental health due to the harmful stigma that men aren't supposed to show their emotions, society has thus continued to express its lack of understanding as to how or why a man can suffer from depression or problems with addiction. However, one important thing that the people I previously mentioned who have lost their battle with mental illness have in common is that they all had access to resources that could have helped them in the steps to recovery that most people don't have. In turn, the stigma surrounding mental health that has been heavily shown in the media continues to prevent others from feeling as though they can speak out about these issues.
In addition to the lack of conversation surrounding mental illness, there also seems to be a lack of awareness as far as who can be affected by these illnesses. While most people often associate those who have mental illness as being of a lower economic class or of a younger age range, mental illness can affect anyone, regardless of class, race, gender, religion, political beliefs, and so on. For example, I specifically remember so many people saying that Anthony Bourdain had their dream life: going to different countries and eating their food while learning about the culture by interacting with the country's residents. And while many people envied his lifestyle, it still had no effect on the larger issue at hand: that Bourdain struggled to cope with his depression. No matter what someone's background is, he or she can still suffer from these issues and not feel comfortable reaching out to get help.
Since National Suicide Prevention Week occurred this past week, these issues have been brought to light on college campuses through organizations or departments that have previously advocated for more mental health awareness, social media posts from people who have personally been affected by mental illness, and other non-profit organizations that aim to end the stigma and help people realize that they are needed. For instance, the non-profit organization To Write Love On Her Arms aims to spread mental health awareness by helping those who suffer from depression, anxiety, addiction, and suicidal thoughts find hope. Remember that people's struggles aren't always known, so it's important to check up on your friends and family as often as you can.
