The Mental Health Conversation
Take Care | Kylie Akia
The conversation surrounding mental illness has been festering, substantially reaching an audience bigger than ever before—the awareness has been growing.
There has always been a stigma surrounding mental health, a conversation that’s never been worth having. You have feelings? Keep them to yourself. We find out someone we know is on antidepressants, and things suddenly get awkward.
“There has always been a stigma surrounding mental health, a conversation that’s never been worth having.”
But, everyone struggles with mental health in one way or another. Statistically, mental illnesses hits and affects about 19% of the adult population, 46% of teenagers and 13% of children each year. However, this newfound sensitivity and understanding around the subject has continued to encourage people worldwide. This past year, we have seen mental health discussions grow among even our biggest celebrities. Demi Lovato has courageously spoken many times about her bipolar diagnosis, self-harm attempts, and rehab stays. Earlier this year, Selena Gomez went through a two-week program for anxiety and depression—and following her most recent health obstacles, she re-entered treatment at the same psychiatric facility, showing the significance of continued self-care.
“ Statistically, mental illnesses hits and affects about 19% of the adult population, 46% of teenagers and 13% of children each year.”
As we see individuals we look up to struggle with their own mental health, it reinforces the reality and seriousness of its importance. Admitting you need help, or in need of something as simple as a therapy session, is not a sign of weakness. It is in fact the complete opposite. The strength radiates through when you care enough about yourself, and your well-being, to know when it’s time for self-care.
If you feel like you may need help or simply need someone to talk to, don't be afraid to seek out resources; whether that be professional help, counseling, talking to loved ones, calling a peer hotline, or letting your friends know what it is you're dealing with.
“Your mental health doesn’t have to define who you are, and the best way to ensure that it doesn’t is to try and get help.”
How can we forget Logic’s powerful suicide prevention single, 1-800-273-8255, delivering such a strong message of hope. And when we open up, and we see others do the same, we realize we're not alone in dealing with some of these issue. As NBA Star Kevin Love wonderfully put it, mental health is an “everyone thing.” Your mental health doesn’t have to define who you are, and the best way to ensure that it doesn’t is to try and get help.