Mental Health: Seeking Help
✍What are some effective ways to de-stigmatize mental health conditions and seeking help?
Note: You are welcome to write in any form to express yourself
This post is created as a prompt for journaling/reflecting/discussing topics as part of the Mental Health Awareness Month event at 7 Cups! You are welcome to join us this month and beyond to explore the Power of the Pen.
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Do try and “fix” the person. Just listen and ask if they need to be heard. Most of the time that’s all they need or want. We get sad it’s true but we aren’t broken
@Clarisse29
the first step in de-stigmatizing, or getting rid of the phobia of getting help with mental illness, is the self-acceptance that you need professional help...
self-acceptance is a virtue, like having self-honesty and believing in the power of modern medicine. mental illness is treating with medication...
the example i would give anyone is, if you have diabetes, you get an insulin shot. if you have high blood pressure, you take medication to balance your condition. if you have any health related ailment that has a treatment or cure, you use that method of medicine...
same goes for mental health!!! taking medications for common mental illness such as depression, anxiety, bi-polar and schizophrenia, etc etc etc, this will balance the chemical imbalances in your brain...
@Clarisse29
Have an open mind to learn more about mental health. The more you understand, the more you will be able to help instead of giving judgement.
@Clarisse29
Advocate, Advocate Advocate, I am constantly raising awareness on social media, also speaking out
@Clarisse29
Live the example. I wear on my sleeve that I don't judge others. I'm genuinely interested in people's stories, and the more they share, no matter how dark or "stigmatizing", I feel all the more honored. I'm not there to change them, but just being myself and actually letting them be themself can help a lot.
@Clarisse29 How do I become a content writer? I am someone dealing with a mental illness and I wish to support people with the same.
@brownchicc hi, please check out this forum post for information on how to join the Content Volunteer Team of 7 Cups as a Writer. Thanks!
@Clarisse
- The fear of mental illness is often found in a lack of education and understanding.
- By sharing your story and opening up to others it could encourage more to talk about how they feel and what they are going through.
- Take the time to listen and offering support is vital.
@Clarisse29 Hi, Clarisse! Hey, everyone!
To me, de-stigmatizing mental health begins with speaking up, making a stand, not being afraid to seek help and raising awareness. Most of all: keeping shame at bay, because there’s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
Of course, not every person’s personality allows them to be so open about themselves, I recognize and completely understand that.
Therefore, people that are more prone, willing to or comfortable with talking “publicly” about their own experiences have, in my humble opinion, the responsibility to banalize, in a good way, such issues that are seen as a tabu.
In a word of galloping globalization, where people have at reach so many media and social media channels, one should not be ashamed to say: hey, my life wasn’t or hasn’t been easy, hence, I’m depressed, or I suffer from PTSD, anxiety, panic disorder, I’m an alcoholic, a substance user… and I need help.
De-stigmatization does not limit merely to let others know and respect mental health. The question of stigma is far more complex, because it involves basic values, such like the value of “goodness”. Every time any type of stigma happens, goodness becomes endangered. We, those who can, who still have strength, must fight the whole world if needed. Baby steps, one day at a time until we feel empowered enough to move even further.
We should use our influence, being it modest or huge, to set a trend here: I say it’s “trendy” being a normal person, a human being who, sooner or later, will suffer from some kind of mental distress, being it Winter blues to grieving the loss of a loved one or the quality of life they had before some illness occurs, old age, and so on.
No one is eternal. No one is perfect. Nothing lasts forever untouched. People age, things age, lose their newness, the environment degrades… life’s ephemeral. There’s such beauty in it: we evolve, adapt, become wiser, resilient… Compassion and self-compassion, empathy, friendship, selfless love, giving without expecting a thank you can be some of the most beautiful feeling and actions in this imperfect world. There’s beauty in suffering: it’s part of who we all are. Because it’s beautiful to feel, to worry, to show feelings and to be emotionally ill or broken - it proves you care, you feel, you think, you are involved… Scars must be shown with a proud heart.
Simple and small steps are needed to mitigate stigma… we have come so far, already. If we can’t “enlighten” the world fast and easily, let us not give up. Let’s seek justice/ goodness on every chance we have, regarding, for instance, only one event… that one person who made us feel discriminated. Let’s speak up, let’s stigmatize discrimination/ ignorance instead. Finally, let’s make this quest more trendy, inspiring and desirable than the latest fashion, the prettiest new cellphone, stylish car or expensive looking house… For there’s nothing that is more perfect, with all its “flaws”, than nature: we, humans, animals, plants and all God’s (or the universe, if you prefer) creations.
Cheers, my friends!
Seeking help. Always try to strive for some of the simple, basic and prudent. Help, aid, counsel and should have in their respected realms:
Mind:
- In your chosen-preferred job/Career:
* Bosses
* Co-workers
* Doctors Pcps/Physics
* Social workers/Case-managers
* Friends
Body:
*Coaches
*Training partners
*Physicians
*Brotherhood
Spirit:
* Pastors
* Gurus/Priests
* Fellowshipper's
You should have their numbers in your contacts and phone book, and be contacting them week to week or at least month to month, I personally like to deal with people face to face when it comes to aid so their is a better understanding and aid/help, for more specifics. Others might have some added connections, mentors, aid and help, but those are my go to ones i like to tag in for help, counsel and conversing on goals. If anyone also has any other people they turn to, give us a throw out.
