“You’re not depressed, you just want attention.”

“You don’t have anxiety, you’re just stressed out.”

Think about the girl who seems to miss school for weeks at a time because she can’t get out of bed and function. She doesn’t want to miss seeing her friends every day, miss the learning she could be doing.

It’s not an excuse; it’s a mental illness.

Remember the guy at lunch that physically couldn’t eat because of the anxiety he felt when he heard false rumors about himself? It’s not like he wants people talking about him even more.

It’s not an excuse; it’s a mental illness.

How about your best friend avoiding a certain hallway because she fears her intimidator will be there? Surely she wishes she could go about her day freely without the constant anxiety.

It’s not an excuse; it’s a mental illness.

Picture your friend and his girlfriend breaking up because he can’t make himself spend enough time with her. Who wouldn’t desire spending time with their girlfriend?

It’s not an excuse; it’s a mental illness.

Why did the girl in your prestigious scholarship group drop out of college? She was incredibly smart and definitely on the right path. She didn’t want to have to leave.

It’s not an excuse; it’s a mental illness.

Consider this your call to action. Stop acting like conditions such as depression and anxiety are make-believe. They’re chronic disorders for goodness sakes! Sometimes, no matter how able one is, no matter how hard they work, anxiety and depression are paralyzing. Take it from someone who’s been there, and knows so many others who’ve been there too. Mental health is real, and you need to be aware of it, not only for yourself but those around you too. It’s time that we take these concerns more seriously and bring them out of the shadows. Shout it from the rooftops:

“It’s not an excuse; it’s a mental illness.”