I saw something the other day that kind of stopped me in my tracks as I was surfing the internet. It was an article where someone for some bizarre reason asked Princess Kate that if her children ever needed mental help would she support them and get them the needed help. Okay. Rant time. Why is that even a question? That's like asking: if your child ever broke their leg, would you take them to the hospital?
Why do we live in a society where for some people getting help for mental illness is seen as showing major weakness? Why do we live in a society where people feel like they have to hide that they cry themselves to sleep every night, or are taking medication for something that they themselves don't quite understand?
Why do we always have to put on this fake facade that we are just fine 24/7? Why is it so stinking hard to say the words I have this or this when someone asks why we act the way we do?
So many questions, so many whys. The truth is this: mental illness is real. Incredibly real, for those of you who don't think it is I am grateful that you have never had to experience a panic attack or many other symptoms of mental illness. No, really I am. Because it is not fun. And until it happens to you, you can't even really ever begin to understand.
There is no such thing as "sucking it up" or "dealing with it". There really isn't, it gets worse and worse and worse. You wouldn't tell someone with a broken arm and a bone sticking out of it with copious amounts of blood that if they just think more positively that their illness will go away, right? Mental illness is just that an illness, and for some people it needs to be treated professionally. And unfortunately like any illness it can be deadly if left untreated. Getting help is not a sign of weakness, it's not. It's a sign of strength. It's a sign of recognizing that you have a problem and you can't quite solve it on your own.
It can be had to tell others what is going on, but the bigger support group you have the better. It can be hard to know that for your mental health you rely on a pill every day. But the truth is it really is never easy, it just gets easier as time goes by. Remember you are never ever alone, there are millions of people throughout the world experiencing what you are to some degree or another. And I'm not generalizing your pain at all I'm just saying that there is someone out there who understands.
But the biggest thing is that we have a Heavenly Father who understands and a Savior who also understands what you are going through perfectly. You can get through this because you are never, ever, ever alone. There is a light at the end of this dark tunnel and you will find it, I promise that you will.
For those of you who love someone suffering from mental illness, please be patient. We are struggling, trying to figure out life with something hard to understand and deal with. Please be kind, if we turn into a crying blubbering mess just sit there and hold us as we cry. If we need someone to talk to please be a listening ear. But most of all we just need you to be there. And sometimes we need you to be that person that picks us up and tells us that getting help is okay. For those who have helped a friend or family member or another person suffering from mental illness, I would like to say thank you. Really, thank you.
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