Anxiety. Obsessive-compulsive Disorder. Depression. Schizophrenia. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

Any of these sound familiar?

Chances are, they do. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), “1 in 5 Americans will be affected by a mental health condition in their lifetime and every American is affected or impacted through their friends and family and can do something to help others.”

Mental illnesses run rampant through our society. They lead to disruptions of everyday life due to debilitating fear or feelings of overwhelming sadness. They can cause isolation from others and hallucinations. They can cause changes in weight and damage to health. They can cause our loved ones to leave us forever.

Those who struggle with mental illnesses do not do so by choice. Often times, mental illnesses are because of our genetics, our past, or our lifestyle choices. Things which our parents have done, things which have been done to us, and things which we may do to ourselves - all have an effect on our mental health. Mental illnesses are also not something which we can simply alleviate on our own - you cannot tell a person who is struggling with depression to stop feeling depressed just as you cannot tell a broken bone to stop being broken. Both require time and help to heal.

Mental illness is something that affects us all. If you are not personally affected by a mental illness, you likely know someone who is, yet it is not commonly talked about. People don’t feel comfortable talking about a mental illness that may affect them for fear of being judged by those around them. Stigma - negative beliefs and opinions associated with a person or group of people - keeps many who struggle with mental illnesses from speaking out about them or from seeking help. No one wants to be called crazy or to be pitied for something that is out of their control. So, in the name of being accepted and “normal,” many mental illnesses go unnoticed while the people we love and care about suffer silently.

It seems silly; people who have an obvious physical illness, such as the flu or a broken leg, would be considered foolish if they didn’t go to the doctor. Yet, we live in a society where people who struggle with illnesses that are still debilitating, still painful, still at times life-threatening, are too ashamed and afraid of what other people will think to ask for help.

So, what can we do to help fight against this stigma and to encourage our loved ones who struggle with mental illnesses to seek the help they need?

May is Mental Health Month. Each year during this month, NAMI brings awareness about mental health to society. NAMI suggests that those who want to do something about changing how society views mental health should take a pledge: a pledge to learn about mental health, to see the person and not their illness, and to take action by spreading the word.

However, you don’t need to make a pledge or participate in Mental Health Month in order to make a difference. You can simply reach out - learn the symptoms of mental illnesses and look for those around you who may be struggling. Encourage your friends and loved ones to seek help, reminding them that they are supported and that this does not change the way you see them.

If you yourself are the one who is struggling, whether it be with anxiety, depression, an eating disorder; tell someone. Seek help. Find a friend you trust who will keep you accountable and check in with you to see how you are doing. It is hard, but it is so important. Admitting that you need help does not mean that you are weak; it means that you are incredibly strong. I believe in you.

Just a few months ago, I was struggling with depression, attempting to bear the burden on my own until people who cared about me came beside me to encourage me. They reminded me that what I was struggling with did not define me as a person and that it was in my best interest to ask for help. I am so glad they did. Because of their gentle push and support, I can tell you today how important it is to be that person in someone else’s life, or to be willing to admit that you can’t always bear your burdens on your own.

So, I encourage you, change the way the world views mental illnesses. Speak out if you are struggling or if you know someone who is. Let’s put an end to stigma. Let’s be that difference in someone’s life.