One in five Americans is battling a mental health illness. One of the main reasons people don’t seek professional help is due to the stigma that is surrounding mental health. People are afraid to seek help and treatment because they may be judged or ridiculed by others. Therefore many live in silence about their undiagnosed mental health disorder. Hiding from a mental illness creates even more toxicity and can worsen the depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder potentially leading to a co-occurring disorder or suicidal tendencies. I’m here to let you know that you are not alone and you do not have to suffer alone.
People who suffer from mental illness are often stigmatized by society. That very stigma creates shame within the individual and can push people to suicide. No one chooses to be mentally ill; it happens and instead of shaming them we should help them. Even when a diagnosis is made, individuals are scared to share their diagnosis with friends and family out of fear they may be seen as inadequate or weak. But they are not. I think they are brave to face their fears of this disease and to seek help.
