Mental health has been a term thrown around a lot lately with the recent suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, news of "13 Reasons Why" being renewed, and the many acts of violence in schools and in public. But is the term finally at the forefront of peoples' attention? Or will it slip away after a few weeks like always?

Mental illness has been a term largely avoided in conversation, and this has built a huge stigma against those suffering from depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, OCD, and other mental illnesses. Mental illness is only brought up when things in the news draw our attention to it, but then the conversation quiets until the next celebrity commits suicide or the next season of a Netflix drama comes out. Subsequently, nothing changes. The cycle continues. Event, conversation, quiet, event, conversation, quiet.

Again and again.

It's time for the conversation to continue. Instead of waiting for the next tragedy, we need to be open about mental health and about the struggles that come with mental illness and treatment. We need to foster an environment where people feel comfortable to seek the help they need instead of hiding.

It took a long time, but I am now open about my anxiety and depression. I'm open about my taking medication to treat my mental illnesses. I'm open about the struggle of finding the medication that works. Of talking about my past and present struggles.

I encourage everyone to do the same. Be honest and open with your conversations about mental health. Chances are that those around you are struggling as well, but the expectation of silence our culture has bred on the subject has caused harm to those with mental illness and those they love.

The more comfortable people are with these conversations, the easier it will be for the conversation to continue.

A continued conversation will lead to more ideas on treatment and more ideas on how to give help to those who need it.

We have the ability to help those we love and break the stigma around mental illness and change the idea that it's something that NEEDS to be cured or automatically leads to suicide, acts of violence, or other tragedies. Mental illness can affect literally anyone, impacting 1 out of every 4 people. By opening up a conversation we can create a world where people are comfortable enough to seek help when they need or even to research deeper to help those around them.

In short, let's keep the conversation about mental health and mental illness open. Be sure to check up on your friends (even the ones you think are okay), and be ruthlessly open about the importance of mental health. If you're comfortable, share your story. Let others know they are not alone. Know that there is ALWAYS someone to talk to. Save the Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255) to your phone and spread it like wildfire. Read up on programs such as QPR that provide training for dealing with those struggling with suicidal thoughts. Most importantly? Never lose hope.

As Albus Dumbledore said through the pen of J.K. Rowling, "Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light". Turn on the light.