I do not make these statements lightly as mental illness is a serious issue. All too often, bad things happen and it is blamed on mental illness. In some instances, it is true which points to the gaping holes in our healthcare system and true help/treatment for severe mental illness. Other times, it’s just talk…a scapegoat if you will. But the fact is mental illness is a breakdown of the mind. It can cause people to act in ways that are harmful to themselves and others. Racism consists of peoples thoughts causing them to believe that one race is superior to another. This belief can lead to discrimination and even violence against members of the 'inferior' race.
Racism is a mental illness, but it is not an excuse for hateful or violent behavior. Mental illness does not excuse racism, but it does help to explain it. If we want to address racism, we need to start by recognizing it as a mental health issue. Only then can we begin to talk about it openly and work towards a solution.
There is no denying that racism exists. It's an ugly reality that we have to face every day. But what if I told you that racism is actually a mental illness?
You might not agree, but hear me out. Racism is a form of discrimination based on race. It could be viewed as a mental illness because it is an irrational belief that causes people to believe that one race is superior to another. This can lead to discrimination and even violence against members of the 'inferior' race.
So why don't we talk about racism as a mental illness? For one, it's stigmatized. Mental illness is already seen as shameful and taboo. But when you add the word "racism" to it, it becomes even more loaded and controversial.
There's also a lot of denial. Nobody wants to admit that they're racist. It's easier to pretend that racism doesn't exist or that it's not a problem. But the truth is, racism is very real and it's a serious problem.
Plus, we don’t want to offend people that deal, battle, fight or live with mental illness in a manageable way and don’t want the negative association.
However, to me, all of this explains exactly why we need to talk about racism as a mental illness because it's the only way to change it. Ignoring the problem won't make it go away. In fact, it will only make things worse. By talking about racism openly and honestly, we can start to address the issue head-on. Only then can we begin to find ways to treat and prevent it. Otherwise, we're just putting a Band-Aid on a much bigger problem.
What do you think? Is racism a mental illness? Maybe you don’t want to call it a mental illness but it’s definitely a mental deficiency, and one that needs addressing. Thanks for reading!
]]>The "I can do it all" mindset is so common because it's often praised and reinforced. We live in a society that values independence and self-reliance. So when someone tries to do everything themselves, they're often praised for their strength and determination. And when they fail, they often feel ashamed and embarrassed. This can create a vicious cycle where people are afraid to ask for help, even when they need it.
Is there any way to change this mindset?
Yes, there is definitely a way to change this mindset. We need to start by acknowledging that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It's actually a sign of strength. When we admit that we need help, we're admitting that we're not perfect and that we're willing to do whatever it takes to get better. We also need to create a culture where it's okay to ask for help. This means teaching our children that it's okay to ask for help when they don't know something, and that it's okay to be vulnerable. When we change the way we think about help, we can start to change the way we think about ourselves.
“Because I can” syndrome is one of if not the most used terms of the past several years. Why? The internet and more specifically Google YouTube have armed the world with information. The interesting piece is that information isn’t necessarily education. It’s not much different than education of the past, just that it’s a bit quicker to access. You can have all the information but still not be an expert or simply not have the time. When we put that kind of context you can stop as it may truly be something you CAN do. Can you change a toilet? Possible. Can you bake a cake? Absolutely. Can you perform a suture procedure of a gapping wound? Now you’ve taken notice huh? So the question is....where do we draw the line?
There are all types of experts in the world, some that know how to change a light bulb and some that can change your life. When we need help outside of our realm of expertise we ought to seek it. It doesn’t show weakness to ask for directions or even a recipe. It only becomes an issue when our ego gets in the way and we believe that we should be able to figure it out because “I can.”
The truth is, no one can do it all by themselves. We all need help from time to time. And that's okay! Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. It shows that you're willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. So next time you're feeling overwhelmed, don't be afraid to ask for help. It's the smart thing to do.
“I don’t need help” is its own phenomenon. There are various reasons people would tell this story(in literal and figurative terms). For them it may be an embarrassing issue or situation, they just don't want it to be known what they’re experiencing. There’s the possibility it’s due to a lack of faith in people...you know when you’ve been let down by others so you just stop asking overall. And then there are those who have become accustomed to handling everything on their own because they’ve had to. This could be due to a traumatic experience that has led to this being the story they tell themselves.
The latter is often the case for people who suffer from anxiety and depression. They’ve been through so much in their lives that they’ve become used to handling everything by themselves. They think that asking for help is a sign of weakness. But the truth is, it's not. Asking for help is a sign of strength. It shows that you're willing to do whatever it takes to get better. So if you're feeling overwhelmed, don't be afraid to ask for help. Your mental health is worth it.
When we try to do everything ourselves, we often feel overwhelmed and stressed. We're constantly trying to juggle too many things at once, and we never seem to have enough time. This can lead to anxiety and depression. And when we're constantly telling ourselves that we don't need help, we're actually isolating ourselves from the people who could help us. This can be particularly harmful for people with mental health issues.
So why is it so hard to ask for help?
There are a few reasons why it's hard to ask for help. First of all, we often feel ashamed or embarrassed. We think that we should be able to handle everything on our own, and we don't want people to think of us as weak or incompetent. Secondly, we're afraid of getting rejected. We're afraid that the person we ask won't be able to help us, or that they'll say no. And finally, we're afraid of being judged. We think that people will think less of us if we admit that we need help.
But the truth is, asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It's actually a sign of strength. When we admit that we need help, we're admitting that we're not perfect and that we're willing to do whatever it takes to get better. We also need to create a culture where it's okay to ask for help. This means teaching our children that it's okay to ask for help when they don't know something, and that it's okay to be vulnerable. When we change the way we think about help, we can start to change the way we think about ourselves.
When it comes to asking for help, many of us find ourselves stuck in one of two mindsets: "I can do everything myself" or "I don't need help." These mindsets keep us from getting the support we need, both mentally and emotionally.
So how can we change our thinking to be more open to asking for help when we need it? One way is to remember that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It's actually a sign of strength. When we admit that we need help, we're admitting that we're not perfect and that we're willing to do whatever it takes to get better. We also need to create a culture where it's okay to ask for help. This means teaching our children that it's okay to ask for help when they don't know something, and that it's okay to be vulnerable. When we change the way we think about help, we can start to change the way we think about ourselves.
When we try to do everything ourselves, we often feel overwhelmed and stressed. We're constantly trying to juggle too many things at once, and we never seem to have enough time. This can lead to anxiety and depression. And when we're constantly telling ourselves that we don't need help, we're actually isolating ourselves from the people who could help us. This can be particularly harmful for people with mental health issues.
]]>There are a lot of ways to move beyond your past and create a healthy future for yourself. Here are a few tips:
Talk about it. This is probably the most important thing you can do. If you keep your feelings bottled up, they will only continue to fester and make you feel worse. Talk to someone you trust, whether that's a friend, family member, therapist, or anyone else. Just talking about what happened can be really helpful in terms of healing.
Find ways to forgive yourself. This can be tough, but it's so important. Holding onto resentment and guilt does nothing but harm us emotionally and mentally. Forgive yourself for the things you did wrong, and try to move on.
Don't dwell on the past. This is another important one. We can't change what happened, but we can control how we react to it. It's easier said than done, think PTSD. But the same way you unconsciously relive trauma you can consciously change your thoughts. This doesn't mean you sweep it under the rug or don't deal with it, it just means you don't want to sit in that place. It means you don't have to let the past keep you from living in the present. Focus on the here and now, and enjoy life as much as you can.
Embrace your new identity. Once you've forgiven yourself and moved on from the past, it's time to embrace your new identity. You are not that person who did those things anymore - you are a new person, with a new story. Start thinking about yourself in terms of this new identity, and start living like that person.
Be kind to yourself. This is probably the most important thing of all. You need to be your own best friend, and that means being kind and gentle with yourself. Don't beat yourself up over your mistakes, and don't put pressure on yourself to be perfect. Just relax and enjoy life, one day at a time.
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to start working on your mental health. When our mental health is strong, it helps us to deal with difficult situations and emotions in a healthier way. It also allows us to connect more deeply with others, and to experience life in a more positive way. So if you're ready to start moving on from your past, consider working on your mental health. There are many different ways to do this, and there is no one "right" way. You can try different things until you find what works best for you.
Some of the things that might help include therapy, medication, exercise, and journaling.
Therapy can be a great way to process your thoughts and feelings, and to get some guidance and support. If you're not sure if therapy is right for you, consider talking to your doctor or a mental health professional. They can help you decide if it's the right option for you.
Medication can also be helpful for some people, especially if they have a mental illness like depression or anxiety. Again, talk to your doctor about what might be best for you.
Exercise can also be really beneficial for mental health. It releases endorphins, which can make us feel good and help to improve our mood.
Journaling can be a great way to track our thoughts and feelings, as well as to work through difficult emotions. There are many other things that can help too, so don't be afraid to experiment until you find what works best for you.
The most important thing is to keep moving forward. Don't let your past keep you from living a full and happy life. You can do this. Just remember, you are not your mistakes, and you are not the bad things that have happened to you. You are so much more than that. So don't give up on yourself - there is hope for you.
]]>Well mental illness is a general term that refers to mental health conditions that interfere with mental well-being or daily activity. There are many mental illnesses including depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and ADHD. If you think your loved one may be suffering from mental illness talk about it with them in an open and caring way by asking open ended questions like "I've noticed you haven't been doing things you usually do-is there something going on?"
Signs of mental illness include mood swings, poor hygiene, lack of motivation or interest in activities they previously enjoyed, difficulty concentrating and changes in eating habits.
A first step to supporting someone who's suffering mental illness is to understand mental health and mental illness.
When someone is going through mental illness it can be a very scary time, so knowing that you're not alone in this journey is a good place to start. The best thing you can do for your friend or family member who's suffering from mental illness is to listen without judgement and express unconditional support.
Show them that you care by asking about their mental health, even if it makes you uncomfortable; the more they know you care, the better they will feel and the more strength they will gain. If possible, try to refrain from offering advice unless asked to do so-assisting with practical tasks like shopping or cooking meals will show your loved one that they're cared for even when feeling unwell.
If you feel overwhelmed by the mental illness, don't be afraid to seek help yourself. A mental health condition can affect anyone and everyone, it's important that friends and family of someone going through mental illness take care of their own mental well-being too. In time your loved ones may recover from mental illness or they may continue to struggle with mental illness for many years to come. Either way it is important for them to know that they have a support system.
Having a mental illness can be physically and mentally exhausting so it is completely understandable that your friend or family member may not want to do certain things anymore. Try not to blame them if staying in bed all day seems like an easier option than going to a party with friends. Be patient and understanding, even if your loved one seems irritated or angry at times-this is often a symptom of mental illness. Try not to take it personally.
In time they'll be back to their usual self again, but until then focus on what you can do for them instead of dwelling on what they can't do for themselves. And above all else show them that they are supported unconditionally by giving them the space and freedom they need while still maintaining contact regularly.
Make sure the conversation doesn't leave them feeling judged or isolated.
Here are some tips on how to talk to a loved one about mental illness:
- Introduce mental illness as a medical condition with a mental health component, not a personal weakness.
- Listen without judgement and let them know you care unconditionally by asking questions like "are you feeling okay?" or "how can I help?".
- Ask them what would be helpful for you to do when they're feeling unwell .
- Avoid offering advice unless it is specifically requested of you, instead allow your loved one the opportunity to explore their mental health journey independently by supporting their decisions and choices even when they seem risky or unhelpful.
Remember that mental illness is not contagious so don't avoid your loved one just because mental illness scares you. Instead be supportive by offering to help when they ask for it, listening to them without judgement and letting them know that mental illness does not define who they are as a person.
Here are some tips on how to support your loved one through their mental health journey:
- Seek out resources for all involved including individualized mental health treatment plans, psychiatry specialists or even private therapists .
- Understand that mental illness is often isolating so don't shy away from staying in contact even when they're too unwell to leave their home .
- Offer practical assistance like cleaning the house, taking care of children or doing their laundry as mental illness can make it difficult to concentrate on day-to-day activities.
- Let them know they are valued even when mental illness makes them feel unworthy .
Remember that mental health affects all those around those living with mental illness so don't be afraid to seek out help for yourself whether that means a mental health specialist, a private therapist or even a support group for loved ones who live with mental illness. Remember that mental illness is not your fault and you're not alone in this struggle. There's no shame in asking for help and doing what it takes to maintain your own mental wellbeing so you'll have the emotional energy needed to support your loved one through mental illness.
Help your loved one seek mental health treatment if they are suffering from intense feelings of hopelessness, sadness or worthlessness .
If mental illness is causing your loved one to feel suicidal either directly or indirectly then it's crucial that you encourage them to get mental health treatment immediately by taking the following steps:
- Seek immediate professional mental health care for yourself and your loved one.
- Call 911 immediately if someone is in imminent danger of suicide or harm because time is of the essence when seeking mental healthcare during a crisis .
- Know the warning signs of suicide so you'll be better equipped to keep your loved ones safe while also encouraging professional help when needed.
Mental illness is a real and serious disease that should not be ignored. If you are worried about someone, the best thing to do is talk to them about it. You may be their only hope of getting help. Remember, you are not alone in this. There are resources available to help both you and your loved one through this difficult time. If you are feeling overwhelmed or helpless, get mental health treatment for yourself as a mental illness places a huge strain on loved ones. Getting help for yourself will ensure you have the emotional energy necessary to support your mental health journey.
]]>If you find yourself guilty of spending hours on social media, and it is not for the purpose of marketing yourself for a stream of income or any other value, this one's for you. Say it with me “I am addicted to social media”. You may think to yourself that you are not addicted and that I am over exaggerating, but you have to face the problem to fix the problem. I will use myself as an example of this. I can, without thinking, scroll through social media at any point of the day, for hours. I am only awake for about 16-18 hours per day, and I easily spend about four of those hours scrolling between Instagram, Facebook, and entertainment sites. Four hours is only the average. So if you figure at 7 days out of the week, 4 hours per day, I have spent 28 hours per week on social media. That is a full day that I have loss out of my week where I could have been productive elsewhere. Now I have friends who spend that amount of time on social media because they are influencers, and they bring home the money to do so. I am not that friend. I am the friend who scrolls just to get my mind off of life, to see what other people are doing/talking about, and to get a social high. That is an addiction no matter how you flip it. It is important that we as millenials make better use of our time. I am not saying that everything we do has to be related to monetary gains, I am saying be concerned with the value. Our time has value attached to it. The idle mind of the social media scroller has usually (speaking from personal experience) does not walk away with true tangible value that was worth the time spent. I will always use social media for what it is worth because a lot of good can come from making new connections, but it is about attaching WORTH to time, so ask yourself, WHAT IS MY TIME WORTH?
Put the phone down friends. Close the laptop for a few and really dig deep. What is it that you enjoyed doing before social media became as big of a topic as it is today?
Are you still doing those things? Whether it is reading, creating, contributing to self care, you have to get back into those things. Social media used incorrectly can not only be a time waster, but detrimental to the fight for mental health. I am currently following 3000+ people on Instagram. That means, after Instagram shows me what they think I would be interested in most, after 28 hours per week I have been exposed to hundreds of peoples thoughts, energies, and even deception. There are loads of content that is out there that can hurt, just as much as there is content that holds value. The job of yours is to put a value on your time, and limit social media use in order to be connected and mindful of the world outside of it.
Things to Do instead of scrolling through social media :
Yet, only around 40 percent of adults and 20 percent of children and adolescents with mental health disorders receive appropriate mental health treatment.
People with psychological disorders often experience double stigma – they have to fight discrimination and prejudices on top of their mental illness. Mental illness stigma creates prejudices and discrimination that a person often internalizes, which makes their mental health problems worse. The stigma prevents people with mental illness from seeking support and treatment and hinders their recovery.
Why People Develop Mental Health Problems
There are several reasons why someone develops mental and behavioral disorders. Usually, mental health problems are triggered by a combination of genetics, environmental factors, and individual experiences. Regardless of their cause, mental health disorders are health problems, just like any physical disease.
However, people with mental health problems are often looked upon differently. While we usually have sympathy for those physically ill or injured, we tend to deny the same compassion to people with mental health illnesses.
How Does Mental Illness Stigma Affect a Person’s Day-to-Day Life?
Many people with mental illness report experiencing a stigma related to their mental health condition. The stigma attached to mental illness usually produces prejudices, discrimination, and adverse actions toward persons with mental health problems.
Prejudice and discrimination can prevent people with mental illness from seizing opportunities and living fulfilling lives. The stigma usually limits people’s ability to find and keep a job, live in safe and decent housing, get health care, participate in social activities, and maintain positive, long-term relationships. Particularly people who belong to minority groups are often hit with bias, stigma, and day-to-day bigotry.
A lack of understanding of mental illness and the stigma often prevent people with mental disorders from seeking professional mental health help. Many individuals with mental health challenges choose to conceal their struggles and resort to self-medication instead.
Studies show that men are less likely than women to seek help for their mental health issues, most likely due to stereotypes and masculinity norms that expect them to be tough and bottle up feelings.
Also, men are often unwilling to seek support from family members or close friends, which causes them to remain unidentified, undiagnosed, and untreated.
How to Overcome Mental Illness Stigma?
Changing deep-seated attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors is a challenging task. However, research suggests that individuals with mental illness would benefit from openly discussing their mental health issues within their families, social circles, and the wider community. In-person contact and an honest conversation is the best way to fight the stigma. So, it is critical to encourage people to talk about their challenges. Likewise, raising the awareness that mental illness can happen to everyone regardless of their race, color, identity, age, or social status can help overcome the stigma attached to mental health.
]]>There’s so many things that can be said for death. Keep reading while I unpack a few. Hopefully, at the end of this reading we will provide clarity in such a dark space.
Death sucks. Period. No matter how or when it comes. I often tell people death sucks, sudden death sucks more because you were blindsided, you had no idea your last words were your last and suicide sucks even more because it adds a feeling that you should have known or been able to do something. The fact is they all suck. You get the point, I’m going to try and limit my use of suck for the rest of this....while I figure out how to do that can you take a moment to ponder on reasons it sucks so much? We’ll come back to that.
The most interesting thing about death is that it’s the only absolute in life. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done. It doesn’t respect accomplishments. It cannot be bribed away for all the money in the world. It also has no concern for age, sex, race and ethnicity. If you are living(as you are because you’re reading) you know that not only will you die but everyone you know will as well. We all know this little detail yet most of us are still effected in negative way when confronted with death. Some more adversely effected than others.
What do I mean when I say some more adversely than others? Grief is grief right? Research shows there are stages to grief. In fact, most studies say there are seven stages. Though everyone may not experience them all, what happens if you stall at any one of them? Your mind behinds to shift, essentially warp into a different reality. If you sit with shock/disbelief, denial, guilt, anger, depression/loneliness/reflection and don’t work through or what I call process you’ve likely developed the beginning stages of mental illness. If you jump right to acceptance there just may be a disconnect there as well(revisit denial). Don’t panic, mental illness isn’t some horrible word or death sentence but you should know it can be developed. Happened to me that way. The good news is same way it can be developed it can be healed!
The healing comes in processing and understanding. For starters you now understand something is going on internally and you may need help moving forward. Additionally, we just dive deeper into why death and grief threw us off in the first place. I believe at the core, it’s a pure reminder of how human we are. The fact that you have no control or say is enough to tip the scales on anyone. Just let me come to your house the next few days and tell you what you can eat or wear....WWHAT?! No way, I have choices.....well you have no choice regarding death. But the grief, that’s a little different. That’s also a sign of humanity. We miss the person we want to talk, laugh or even cry with and that produces emotions. Think about that, it’s a great thing! In a world filled with processes, technology, hatred, poverty, and a ton of other things it’s a good reminder that we are all human beings. We have emotion that we don’t often show or let loose. We are able to experience a range of emotions but no one without the other. You know sadness and in this case grief because you knew love. I’ll leave you with this, love doesn’t die with death. Once that sets in, I believe you’ll be well on your way to recovery. Not only in dealing with this death but in your view of the world around you.
]]>I was sitting in front of the Creator of Mental Health Matters Now when I was compelled to rush home and write this. While sitting in his living room brainstorming and building off of each other, I’d realized that I was not well.
It was almost as if something inside me clicked and in my head I heard “you need to address this, and you need to address it now”. In the moment between talking about merchandise and Mental Health Awareness Month (May), an energy inside of me told me to go and get to work, so I listened.
I’m not sure if it is being a woman, being a Cancer, or my upbringing is the center of why for the most part, I only listen to my heart, and I don’t exercise my mind. I realized how dangerous it was to only sit there and come from and emotional place with everything, and not allow my mind to work its wonders. I do a lot of things (or not do) based on feelings and emotions that stem from a sensitive place.
In these moments, I am working on healing from some things that hurt my heart. These things have affected the way that I think. This is detrimental to my journey of peace, because I am allowing my emotions inside of my heart to send signals to my brain. Signals of pain, suffering, and doubt that I have not dealt with are traveling to my mind and as a result, attacking my mindset.
I went home and sat silently for a moment and realized that I was making myself sick by not actively day to day making a conscious effort to heal. I came to the conclusion that in order to heal the mind, and tap into my true self, I have to heal what hinders me, my heart. It is very easy to become complacent and live in hurt, but it is not the health route. The healing of the heart in order to heal the frame of mine, takes hard work. Understand that mental health, and the process of being mental healthy requires daily training. It requires work from you. Are you willing to do the work?
Here are somethings that I am working on in order to heal at the heart, in order for myself to send healthy signals to the mind.