It’s Mental Health Awareness Month!

As many of you who are close to me might already know, I’ve suffered from anxiety and depression off and on throughout my life. Many might not know this because, like many other folks who might suffer from some form of mental illness, I don’t like to burden people with my problems or ask for help. I’m slowly realizing that it is OK to be transparent and ask for what you need. I think that especially as women, it’s ingrained in us to be people-pleasers and constantly be of service to others before taking care of our own well-being. It’s like they say when you prepare for takeoff on a flight, you affix your own oxygen mask before helping others in the event of an emergency. The same can be said for everyday situations. You can’t put your best foot forward on four hours of sleep at work, right? When your car is running on empty, you’re not going to make it to your destination either. Self-care and proper nutrition are the fuel for our bodies and enable us to be of service to others, to be fully present when needed. We’re of no benefit to others when we’re not taking care of ourselves. This is especially important for someone who might suffer from any type of temporary or chronic condition.

Mental illness comes in all different shapes and sizes and its effects vary widely from person to person. Now, I am not a doctor and this isn’t an attempt to treat any condition- do consult your health professionals if you are experiencing any symptoms that might be attributed to a form of mental illness.

This past year has been hard and not necessarily for just folks with mental illness. I think it’s fair to say that most people have been affected by the pandemic in some way. Our lives were permanently altered, some for the better or for the worst. Isolation from friends and family may have caused feelings of depression and anxiety in folks who don’t ordinarily experience those things and for others, especially those who might be in poor living situations already may have experienced a more severe decline in their mental health.

During these times, it’s more important than ever to demonstrate patience and compassion to others. Many who are struggling are not looking for attention, but your sympathy and understanding. An ear to vent to in order to feel heard can go a long way. These past few months for me personally have been difficult. There were days I didn’t want to wake up or get out of bed, especially while dealing with the mistaken identity case that I mentioned in another blog. Nothing seemed to be getting better. I was constantly searching for that light in the darkness and I think it finally came.

Irritability, lack of energy, fatigue, feeling tired all the time- common signs linked to depression in particular. If a loved one is exhibiting these signs, it might be a sign of depression. All too often we’re quick to snap, it’s human. Why aren’t they cleaning up the house? Why are they so moody? Etc. The individual may not even realize it themselves, but these are common signs that the individual could be experiencing depression and we want to encourage them to seek help in the most loving way possible. It could be something as simple as saying you’re there for them if they want to talk, suggesting they might want to talk to someone (if they’re open to it), and allowing them grace if they fall behind on simple household tasks like vacuuming, cooking, etc instead of getting upset and jumping to conclusions as this will elicit a defensive response. Of course, every situation is different, but if someone who was otherwise a clean freak and very active is suddenly in bed all the time and not taking care of themselves or the things around them, something is definitely wrong. Remember, it’s not our job to fix what is wrong, but rather to provide assurance that our loved ones know that we’re there for them through this process, whatever they might be going through.

Mental illness is no one’s fault and it can be quite tricky to navigate especially if you’ve never had a friend or relative experience signs or symptoms before. However, it’s so common as studies have shown that nearly half of all adults in the United States will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. Whether it’s you or a loved one experiencing mental illness, as isolating as it might feel at times, know you are not alone.