Society today is doing a great job of accepting all of the different people in the world. Gay marriage is legal in every state and Caitlyn Jenner is making people talk about the transgender community more than ever before.

So this raises the question of why people are still so uncomfortable to talk about mental illnesses and why are so many people uneducated when it comes to topics such as depression? Depression affects more than 15 million people in America and suicide is the second leading cause of death for teenager as well as more than 5 million adults are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in the U.S alone. Yet, when someone hears that someone is being treated for a mental illness, more often than not, the common response is a negative remark.

So many people take someone who has a mental illness as being crazy. This leads those individuals who are suffering, to be afraid to ever seek help as they do not want to be labeled as being “crazy”. This is wrong, so let me be crystal clear. Depression is nothing to be ashamed of. Having Bipolar Disorder does not make you crazy or psychotic. Dealing with an eating disorder does not make you any less normal than anyone else. It is okay to talk about your struggle. The more we talk about depression and other forms of mental illnesses, the more it will be accepted and maybe just maybe in the next generation mental illness can be thought of as seriously as any other physical health issue is.

I am a huge advocate for mental illnesses; particularly depression. I am a firm believer that any mental illness should be treated just as seriously as any other deadly illness. Over 800,000 people across the world take their own lives each year because of an inner struggle they deal with on a daily basis. Over 800,000 people feel so alone and empty each year that they think the only way of ending their sadness or pain they feel is by killing themselves. With this being said, there are so many people in this world who make light of depression and mental illnesses. I personally have dealt with this and know firsthand how difficult it is to deal with a mental illness. I also know that there is so much help and support that is offered to make living with a mental illness much more controllable. There is a light at the end of the tunnel no matter how long the tunnel may be. Trust me. When I was going through the darkest time of my life I was extremely embarrassed of my struggle and what I was going through. I was embarrassed because depression is not something people talk about. It is a common belief that someone with depression can simply “snap out of it.” So when I wasn’t snapping out of my depression, I thought it was all my fault which would only make the depression worse. It was like an endless cycle that I truly believe could have been put to an end sooner if mental illness was talked about more positively. (PSA: Never tell someone to snap out of what they are feeling. Let people feel their emotions.)

When someone has cancer and is put in the hospital for treatment family members visit, send cards and show endless love and support. When I was hospitalized for depression the only ones who knew I was battling for my life was my immediate family and best friend. I was embarrassed because I thought it was my fault. I thought it was my fault I was unhappy. There had to be something I was doing wrong, right? The fact of the matter is I lacked a chemical in my brain. So no, it is in no way my fault that I deal with depression. I just so happen to deal with an illness that people cannot see. Millions of people in the world live with an illness others cannot see. Just because you cannot see a mental illness does not make it any less real than a physical sickness.

So, let’s start talking about mental illness. Let’s start making people realize that being sad is not a choice. Hearing voices in your head does not make you crazy. Going from high to low does not make you any less of a person. With all the stigmas surrounding mental health people who suffer are more likely to isolate themselves, be discriminated against, keep their struggle a secret and blame themselves. This leads them to be less likely to receive treatment and get their illness under control. I hope that the media starts doing a better job of portraying those who suffer from a mental illness. I hope that the more we talk about this issue, the more accepted those who suffer will be.

I was lucky to have a family that stood by me every step of the way and not stigmatize me. Not everyone who suffers will be as lucky as I was. This is why we must start discussing mental illness now in order to make a better future.

If you are struggling with depression or having suicidal thoughts of any kind please seek help. I know it is scary, but it will change your life for the better.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1 (800) 273-8255