Most of us have no problem asking a friend how they're feeling, if their strep throat got better or if they had a good night's rest. Most of us have no problem answering any of these questions; we barely even think twice about our response. Most of us, however, won't talk about mental health or open up about a mental health issue. And sometimes because of this, we won't even accept the fact that we might have a mental health issue to begin with.
Why is this? Mental health is extremely similar to/if not the same as our physical health and can range from depression to an eating disorder to just simply having a sad day. It can change over time. It can get worse. It can get better. It needs to be taken care of, nurtured, respected-- and most importantly talked about.
One in every five people have a mental health issue in the United States each year. Bet you didn't think it would be that common huh? I know I didn't. There are approximately 8 to 25 suicide attempts to one completion each year. 15 percent of those suicides have a direct relation to untreated depression problems.
So if it's so common, why do we only hear about a mental health issue when it's already too late?
That's because the opinions and attitudes about mental health has created a stigma around the topic that needs to dissipate. Society has single handedly made it almost impossible for people to feel comfortable admitting that there might be a problem. It causes people suffering from mental health to feel even more isolated than they did to begin with, to be embarrassed, to hate themselves and most importantly, can delay someone from getting the help they need.
Anyone can deal with a mental health problem at a given time, so being able to talk about it is beneficial to everyone. Talking about it directly isn't always the answer either. Just being there for someone, embracing them, being a friend can be simply enough at times. It can change a lot for someone -mentally- to know that they actually have someone that is there for them, when they're feeling the most alone. It's as easy as saying, "How are you?"
So it's time to start talking. Mental Health is nothing to be ashamed of and deserves the chance to be helped, just like a sore throat. It's up to us to end the stigma we started.
