I recently have been fighting off a cold that has been causing extreme exhaustion, weakness, lack of motivation, lots of sniffles and coughing. It is very obvious to the people around me that I'm sick due to the physical signs. Since it is such an obvious sickness, people almost expect the exhaustion and slow moving progress. Being able to see that someone is sick validates it and makes it real.

The other night my coworkers asked me why I came to work and told me I should go home to "get some rest." Since I'm a poor college student, I stayed at work. But while I was working, I couldn't help but think about how similar I felt to when my depression is worse than normal. And I thought, if I would have called in to work and told them I was sick, they would believe me no doubt because my voice is scratchy and my nose is stuffy, and I had been tired and slow moving the nights before. But if I would have called in sick because of my depression, there probably would have been some questioning as to why/how that qualified as an illness. Sort of similar to when I would tell a professor I wouldn't be in class that day due to a "personal issue" or because I "wasn't feeling well." Those were not acceptable reasons for most teachers. It had to be a "real illness."

So why is that? Why is exhaustion due to depression different than exhaustion due to the flu? Why is it not validated? Just because people can't physically see the signs of depression? For anyone who has questioned a friend or coworker or classmate as to why they missed class "just because of their depression" or "just because of their anxiety," please think about it a little more. Please try to understand that the same exhaustion we get when we have mono or the flu is just like when we feel exhausted because of a mental illness. Our lack of motivation or unwillingness to go to class when we have a migraine and can't handle thinking or focusing is the same as when we can't handle thinking or focusing because of our mental illness.

Mental illness is just as real as a physical illness. Just because you cannot see it, doesn't mean it isn't there. And just because people don't talk about it as much, that doesn't mean it's non-existent. Similar care is needed for physical and mental illnesses. The same respect is necessary towards physical and mental illnesses.

We are so trained to take care of ourselves physically, whether it be exercise or healthy meals or what medication to take. It's all over the media and even taught in school. But our mental health is just as important, and we all need to learn to care for ourselves and each other on that aspect as well. Most people have no idea how to help someone struggling with a mental illness. We get comments such as, "Maybe you'll feel better if you go out and do something" or "Have you tried thinking more positively?" When someone breaks their leg, would you ask them to just try using your leg anyway? No.

There are very few people with an understanding of mental illnesses and mental health in general, and it needs to change. Basically, respect needs to be given to a person no matter their reason for feeling sick, tired, unfocused, etc. Mental illness is just as real, and just as serious, as physical illness.