October 4-10, 2015 of last week was officially hailed as the Mental Health Awareness Week. Unfortunately, it didn’t make as much noise as might be expected. Why might that be?
Continuing Mental Health Stigma
Despite the breaking grounds that Mental Health has shattered into, it is unfortunate that it still wrapped with stigma. Some still scoff at the mere mention of a therapist, while others vehemently deny the mere existence of a mental illness. It is not unheard of for many clients who go to therapists to have to hide or, worse, shamefully deny their illness whenever someone asks them in order to protect their career or economic stability.
The question here is: why?
Perhaps one of the most common reasons is that sometimes people forget or are unwilling to acknowledge someone else’s perspective. We often get too involved in our own experiences that we think that what we went through is the same as that of everyone else. Just this week, I heard a story about a person who talked about a sibling who committed suicide. The person claimed that they and the sibling who passed away had the same exact childhood. However, the truth we find ourselves is often subjective to our experiences.
People process things differently. Everything is subjective. What is painful for you might not be to others, and vice versa. What some consider as loneliness may be a welcome solidarity for others. Not everyone possesses the same level of resiliency. We have different experiences, even when we are mere centimeters apart. That’s the beauty of being human. Regretfully, this same difference can equally make it a tragedy.
The perspective that makes us think that everyone must think, feel, and react the same way just because we went through similar things is a fallacy and must be eradicate. The fact is that we all feel, think, and react differently. If we are to believe that we are all special snowflakes, we must also acknowledge that just like snowflakes, no two human beings are ever going to be precisely the same.
How To Help
The lack of awareness can often lead to tragic outcomes. Because mental illness is a real danger not only to oneself but also at times to society, it must be critically addressed. If you or someone you know is experiencing self-destructive thoughts, never be afraid to reach out to a professional. Remember, they are trained to help you.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
If you’re feeling suicidal, do reach out to the Suicide Hotline (1800-273-8255, toll-free) and talk to someone. Your life matters, greatly, even if you yourself don’t think so at the moment. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and speaks English and Spanish. If you’re afraid of feeling unheard because of a different language not listed above, do reach out to them anyway. They’d be more than willing to find ways to accommodate with your language, more than you know. And they even have a chat option if you’re one, like me, who dreads to talk on the phone.
Other Mental Health Illnesses (Anxiety, Depression, etc.):
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has a “Find a Therapist” option that allows you to search for therapists within your area by zip code and specific radius.
However, if you’re unsure if they’ll take your insurance or because you don’t have one, nearby community organizations are willing to accommodate you in your search for a psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor. Most of all, these mental health professionals often provide a sliding fee for their clients based on your insurance (if applicable) and income. So do stop by!
Lastly, if you’re enrolled in a university, most, if not all universities and colleges offer a counseling program for their students for free. Do take advantage of that as well.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, let’s spread more awareness for those who are suffering from mental illnesses and help them remember that they are not alone.
And if this is you, remember. We are here for you. You matter. Help us help you.
By: Claire Cornelio