Mental Health Awareness

The topic I chose was about the mental health crisis going on in the US today. This is a rising topic that causes depression, anxiety, and in some cases, suicide. This is an ongoing threat to society, and with that, it makes the people who are struggling with it feel even worse. There is a constant struggle with trying to find a provider that is accepting new patients. Mental health is a difficult thing to put a demographic on because it can affect anyone. I have found that most of what people care about when they are struggling is to find a way out. This fits into the crisis because there is such a shortage of providers who are unable to help those who are struggling. Some of the best advice and tips I could share from my own personal experience is to be your biggest advocate. No matter how big or small the matter is, you have to keep trying and keep putting yourself first in order to start feeling better. Mental health is not something that can be taken lightly; it is a constant battle. When they say that you aren’t alone is true, although you don’t feel that way; you never are alone. A question that I have heard frequently is “Where do I go from here?” When hearing this, these people feel at rock bottom and aren’t sure what the next steps are. Asking this question is the hardest one to ask, yet it is the one that has the most impact. By taking this first step, you are opening a world of possibilities, and you start to see a light shine through the darkness. You can help someone by being a support system. Sometimes, all you need is someone there, not just to talk about mental health, just the fact of being there with someone is a start that can make you feel seen. I encourage anyone who is struggling to find their support system and advocate for you along with yourself. There are different ways you can go about taking care of mental health, such as exercising, counseling, medication, and even support groups. One thing to note about mental health is that it comes and goes. It can change daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, and it all depends on the person. A common assumption I see quite often is that people think that mental health issues are trauma-based. This isn’t a wrong assumption, but it also can just be how you are genetically, and it can affect even the happiest of people. I have also seen where adults born in the older generations are unsure of how to handle it. This is where you advocating and having a support system come into play. Not only are you navigating through, but so are the ones around you who want what is best for you. So include them in what your steps are and understand that it can be a hard and difficult time for them also. I urge everyone who is in a mental health crisis to find a way to help, whether it be counseling, medication, exercise, or even being around loved ones. Don’t be afraid to get help and worry about what comes next, just know that taking that first step is the most rewarding thing you could do.