May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental health needs a great deal of attention.

It's the final taboo and it needs to be faced & dealt with.
- Adam Ant

I haven't been shy at all about my own mental health here on the blog, and that's why I feel so comfortable being able to talk about it. While I wasn't always able to talk about my dealings in the past for fear of showing some kind of weakness for those to take advantage of, I kind of grown into this person who doesn't really care what people try to do because I realize it's what I allow them to do. I'm one of the fortunate ones in the sense of me having things going for myself and a strong support system that helps me realize every day that I'm important. I'm sure that if everyone with a mental health issue looks close enough, they have that same support system around them. There are people who volunteer, and even the ones who get paid to do that sort of thing cares to a degree, I've heard some stories about them. But in the end, anyone dealing with any kind of mental health issue, they should know that you are worth it and there are avenues to help you with whatever you have going on, it all starts and ends with you and if you want help.

We saw last year that no one is immune from mental health issues; Robin Williams Death last year had every indication of mental health issues, mainly depression and early symptoms of dementia. It's a sad instance in the fact that he is a well-known figure because he made people laugh and other people happy with his movies, stand up routine's and interviews. I grew up watching his films and a lot of them were important in the fact that they taught us just to laugh and just have fun with the imaginative side of our minds. So when he passed it was a real blow because it's probably one the least expected things when it comes to people who you expect not to do anything like that. But as I look more into it and connect what I've learned about mental health and his death and I realized that you could have every single thing in the world going for you, all of the fame, money and riches, but if you don't reach out for help, you are just another human being.

That's what I want to point out here today is that you cannot get better if you do not decide for yourself to get better. It all ends and starts with you, and sometimes you need that encouraging word or you need that encouraging nudge. And to those people out there not suffering from a mental illness, it doesn't hurt to be educated and mindful of what the symptoms are. If someone comes to you and they say they need help, do not brush it off or make a joke about it, get them help. Too often people are afraid to ask for help because of the repercussions from the ones they care about. It's not a joke and it's not something to brush off, if they say they need help, help them, it's actually that simple.

Most of the time people just need someone to talk to and sometimes it's more serious than what's being seen. I was one of those people that thought I was alright and had it all together, when in reality I was one of those that needed help the most. It took some time but when I finally got it, it changed my life, for the better. Just like any other cause or month that celebrates something, it's just not restricted to that month, it's a 24/7, 365 kind of deal. So if you know if you need help or someone that needs help, reach out, it could save a life.

I hope everyone becomes a little more educated as a result of this month and learn a thing or two about the warning signs of mental health. What do you know or wish to know about mental health? Leave it in the comments below.

Until next time guys.