Given that we recently observed either "World Mental Health Day" or "Suicide Prevention" day on October 10th, I decided it would be a great time to share my opinions and ideas on the mental health of our nation.

I'd like to start by pointing out that our minds should be understood to be the foundation of our lives. Think about it people...literally. From the first breath we take we are striving to feed our minds, and from that day on almost anything you strive to become or obtain, starts with your brain. So why is it that, as soon as our minds are nourished enough to flourish, we don't attempt to understand or evaluate how they're working?

Of course, I'm not saying that babies' first words should be identifying neurons, or that the wiggles should write a song about the functions of the frontal lobe, but hear me out. In the early years of grade school, children have programs like "D.A.R.E." to teach them the effects of drugs and alcohol abuse, SODA to show them good morals and develop positive attitudes, and even Family Life to educate students about bodily functions and to raise awareness about the risks of sexual behavior, but there are no programs, counselors or advisers to educate students about Mental Illnesses. Where is the funding for awareness of our own minds?

People need to be informed of the possible mental issues they may have at a young age, so they can identify any symptoms early on. A child with ADD or ADHD without treatment is more likely to be acting out in class due to their sporadic thinking and lack of focus, but after a talk with a doctor and a few visits to a therapist to develop coping skills, the same child would be a focused addition to class. Say a student is constantly losing interest in activities others find amusing, a clear indicator of depression, their lack of participation would cause them to be a social outcast, thus worsening their mental state and convincing them to believe there is just 'something wrong' with them as a person. However with therapy, the depression could be acknowledged and treated, and the student would know that their personality is not ruled by their disorder.

I'd like to take a moment to discuss some of the negative effects that can come from an undiagnosed and untreated Mental Illness. In the 90 seconds it has been since you started reading this, a person has committed suicide. It is exhausting and heartbreaking to think that somewhere in the world someone took their own life because no one knew how to help them. All it takes is one person who knows the indicators of a Mental Disorder to listen and think "something isn't right here." Don't you want to be that person? Struggling with the way you think can be a never-ending battle that causes you to loose motivation and confidence. The least we can do is try and take care of our minds and each other.

We need our children to know it's okay to feel sad, or bored or out of place with no explanation and that there is nothing wrong with them, because a mental problem is just that--a mental problem. Depression and Anxiety may not be normal and inherent functions of our brain, but that does not mean that there is something wrong with you as a person if you experience them. We've got to get rid of this stigma that exists with differences in mentality. According to the World Health Organization, "at the philanthropic level, the stigma associated with mental illness creates a vicious cycle of alienation and discrimination, resulting in social/political isolation and inadequate treatment approaches and resources within the community." We should not stand for this. Being diagnosed with a disorder that affects your mood, thinking and behavior is not a bad thing. Going to a therapist is NOT a bad thing. Like honestly, have you ever been to a therapist? It's just talking about your problems with someone who's educated that can tell you why you're struggling with something and guide you on how to cope with it.

Even if you aren't someone who has a mental illness, you could benefit from being educated on how to understand and support someone who does.

So, what if all of us were educated on the basic signs of Mental Illness and could be of better help to ourselves and others? How many people would we save from turning to drugs or drinking to solve their problems? How many would we save from self-harm? How many could we help stop from committing crimes? The way I see it, Mental Health education would save a countless amount of people, in an endless amount of ways.

Which is why I challenge you, if you've taken the time to read this article; the thoughts of someone with ADHD and Anxiety, to listen. Listen to yourself, and those around you. Get the conversation started in your community, school or workplace, and get people listening too. You never know who you could be helping.