Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month

May 18, 2023

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

In August 2021, I almost lost my battle with mental illness for the first time. I went through something that triggered the hardest time of my life after already struggling with mental illness for years. It was the first time, but it definitely wasn't the last time. The days were hard then and they are definitely still hard now.

I'm not going to go into anymore detail right now but I will say, It wasn't pretty. It hasn't been pretty. There is a very large chemical imbalance in my brain that alters my daily life. I spent months and months crying, screaming, hurting myself, pulling my hair out, and so many other things. This is hard to experience and it is not something that I would wish on others. Mental Illness is a real disease.

I say this because mental illness has become a topic that social media has glorified. Us who struggle with mental illness constantly feel like we are fighting a war with ourselves. They take over our minds and ability to do the things that we normally would be able to do. The way mental illness is promoted on social media platforms these days is incredibly toxic. It is horrible that so many of us struggle with a mental illness and then their are individuals on the internet trying to make it seem like this "wonderful" or "cool" thing when it is definitely not anything like that.

We all have bad days and extremely stressful weeks. However, there’s a distinct line between feeling stressed and being clinically depressed. There is nothing to glamorize when it comes to mental illness. Mental Illness is HARD and DEBILITATING.

You can't tell just by looking at someone what they are going through. You never know who may be suffering in silence around you. When you suffer from a mental illness, it is not only mentally draining, but it is also very physically draining and takes a large toll on your whole entire body and life. Social media can be really harmful in so many ways, I really want to encourage others to think before they make any kind of post. You may think you're funny, but you can also be hurting someone even more than they are already hurting.

Why is it so hard to get mental help and proper support in this world? I spent a month in a mental health facility and was surrounded by condescending and belittling nurses and a doctor who made me cry on the daily. He was never encouraging and he truly made my mental health even worse than it already was. I know this isn't everyone's experience, but it was mine and that's why I share. I have also heard many other scary and traumatic stories from mental health facilities and I don't want this to be the normal. I really live to see a change. I will never put myself back in the position to be stuck in one of those places, but I really hope someday they are good for others. I hope other people have better experiences.

With all of this to say, we need to reduce the mental health stigma. How can we do that? We can talk, listen, ask questions, normalize therapy, choose our words carefully, include others, and continue to educate ourselves.

Peace & Love,

Aspen Sage 💗

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