Mental health has been such a hot topic this past year. The stigma around mental health has been slowly declining. But why do people still feel alone? It's because of the judgment that surrounds it. You are not your mental illness, and you are not alone. You are not an attention seeking person for talking about it. We have to talk about mental illness to make it okay.
So many people feel so alone in their mental illness. The fear of being judged, and not accepted in society is overwhelming. Peoples reactions about when you talk about your mental illness will go one of two ways. That person will either understand and help you. Or they'll take is a joke, and see it as you seeking attention. No one should ever be ashamed to talk about their mental illness. Mental health is just as important as physical health. Just because you can't see someone having an anxiety attack or because someone doesn't act depressed doesn't mean they don't have the illness.
So for those who feel alone remember you aren't. You aren't alone with your battle in whatever you're fighting. Someone has or is going through what you're going through. Statistics show that suicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 25 to 34, and the third leading cause of death for people aged 15-24. Out of all these suicides, two-thirds of these people were depressed at the time of their suicide. One in ten college students will attempt suicide at least once in their life.
These statistics are shocking and sickening, right? So the question comes into play of why didn't they seek help? Judgement, shame, and access to mental health are factors. People are judged for going to therapy, or taking medicine to help them. People are judged and looked at as crazy because of how mental health is portrayed on Television. People are ashamed to share their stories. The cost of seeking help is expensive. Most people either don't have access to mental health help because of the cost or because the resources aren't available.
So you aren't alone in your mental illness. Life is a beautiful thing to live, suicide isn't the answer. To those who don't suffer from mental illness, do your best to make those that are to feel not alone. Help end the stigma. Everyone has their own battle that they're battling, some harder than others. Some physically, some mentally. You aren't alone in your mental illness, and don't be ashamed to share your story. Chances are you sharing your story is saving someone's life and ending the stigma around mental illness.
