Recently, mental health has been in the conversation (thankfully). However, even though we have put the topic in the midst of conversation, people are still scared to be the first person to speak. I get it, it's a heavy topic. However, to fix something, you got to address it.

One topic that I feel always has been pushed bay side is self-care. We all have a different definition to truly define what it means to take care of ourselves.

According to Oxford Dictionaries, self-care is "the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress." One word I want to emphasize in this sentence is happiness. So many people put this term on the very bottom of their priority list, which I believe is the most bothersome trait we all hold (even involuntarily.)

We put our friends, family, careers, and especially money before our own well being, our happiness. But how detrimental that is.

A question I want to ask is, "Why do we put our own happiness on the back burner? Why do we care so little for ourselves especially our mental health? Why do we act like it doesn't exist?"

Many argue it isn't something you can physically see broken. An example I like to demonstrate is a migraine. When people suffer from a severe migraine, they often go to a doctor and get medicine to ease the pain, right? Or, they put themselves in a dark room and try to rest to help themselves take care of it. Those are common actions we take, some of us without any hesitation because we want it to go away, right?

How is our mental health any different? Why don't we carry out the same actions to take care of our mental state?

In a study done by HealthAdvocate Solutions: Managing Emotional Health at Work, a statistic showed that one in ten people in the U.S. could be diagnosed with an emotional illness and that only five percent of individuals with a mental health issue seek treatment.

That alone speaks for itself how much of an issue this is. If can easily occur in one out of ten people, imagine what the actual number is based on the population in the U.S. We need to take care of ourselves. You need to take care of yourself. You deserve the help. You deserve to feel better. You deserve a better life for yourself. We need you in this world. You are an important part of what makes this world a more interesting place to live.

It is okay to not be okay.
Help is available, you matter.
Reach out to a therapist.
They want to help you, and only good things can come from it.
Find your inner peace.
Allow yourself the time to heal.
Help yourself grow from this.

Take care of yourself.

Hotlines:

To talk to a Crisis Counselor: (U.S.) text: 741741

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (U.S.) call: 1-800-273-8255

Help to find a therapist: 1-800-THERAPIST (1-800-843-7274)

Adolescent Suicide Hotline: 1-800-621-4000

Adolescent Crisis Intervention & Counseling Nineline: 1-800-999-9999

Gay & Lesbian Trevor HelpLine Suicide Prevention: 1-800-850-8078

Domestic Violence Hotline:1-800-799-7233

Eating Disorders Center: 1-888-236-1188

Drug & Alcohol Treatment Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP