May is recognized annually as Mental Health Awareness Month.
Most long-time readers know that I’m passionate about promoting overall wellness, sharing my own experiences with anxiety and depression, and advocating for others who are unable or afraid to share their own voice.
Last month I attended the annual NAMI Walk with my husband (my resident mental health professional, hehe) and some of his coworkers, and throughout the month, you’ll probably find my Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook feeds filled with mental health articles, images, and words of encouragement.
In light of all that, I thought I’d share how you—no matter who you are—can support mental health awareness now and throughout the year.
Image may be NSFW.
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Be mindful of how you speak
I’m notorious for saying what’s on my mind, and I, unfortunately, often speak without filter.
But, trust me, it’s important to watch what we say and how we say it.
It’s easy to throw around phrases like “ugh, I’m so OCD” or “you’re acting so bi-polar,” but imagine how it would feel hearing those phrases if you actually lived with Obsessive Compulsive or Bipolar Disorder.
Likewise, I cringe whenever I hear “I would kill myself if that happened to me” or when somebody makes even the most “innocent” joke about suicide. I’ve known too many people who’ve been affected personally.
I get it, most people (including me) mean no harm when we say those things, but just like you (hopefully) wouldn’t deliberately utter a racial epithet or ethnic slur, you should be mindful of how you speak about stress and mental illness.
Listen with care and attention
While I’m certainly an empath, I’m not always the best listener. When I’m excited, I often anticipate what others will say next or I am so concerned with formulating my own response that I lose focus on the actual conversation.
As you can imagine, not being attentive can have its consequences.
When I’m struggling, I often throw around jokes and self-deprecating remarks like confetti. I deny when things are weighing heavily on me because, either I’m not 100% allowing myself to feel my emotions, or I don’t want to burden others.
Nevertheless, I’m sure it’s easy to read between the lines.
When somebody is sharing a personal struggle, it’s important to listen carefully. Pay attention to their body language and their word choice. If somebody has been suffering for a lengthy time and suddenly experiences a 180 in their mood, it could be cause for concern.
So listen. Allow the person to share their painful experiences without judging them, trying to solve their problems, or preaching. And if things seem more serious, it may be best to refer them to a professional.
Share your own story
Erasing the stigma comes down to one thing: sharing.
While I struggle to share in my private life, I find it truly therapeutic and motivating to share my struggles through my writing and social channels.
When you see a bit of yourself in another person’s story, you’re given a bit of hope. And validation. And that’s everything for somebody who’s profoundly sad or afraid.
So, don’t be afraid to share others’ stories or begin to tell your own. Growth and awareness stem from conversation.
Learn as much as you can
The more you know, the more you can understand and help to enact change.
To learn more about symptoms, treatment options, advocacy groups, and mental health policy, visit the following websites.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- National Institute of Mental Health
- Mental Health.gov
- Mental Health America
There are even national and local organizations that may be in need of volunteers, whether it’s a community center for at-risk youth, a rape crisis center, or some other organization.
If you want to read more, visit my mental health page or some of the posts below.
- Sometimes It’s Just a Thought
- 10 Things to Know about Therapy
- How Taking an Antidepressant Has Changed My Life
- It’s OK to Feel Sad Sometimes
- My Struggle with Anxiety
How you can help support #mentalhealthmonth and fitness #4mind4body
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[linking up with Amanda for thinking out loud]
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