Mental Health Isn’t Scary; Talking About It Shouldn't Be Either
October Message of the Month
The only month of the year where we seek out scary encounters is here! October is when we begin planning our Halloween outfits; we gather for ghostly encounters; we decorate with pumpkins, witches, and all things creepy. When it comes to mental health, let’s take fear out of the conversation.
How many aspects of mental health are often accompanied by fear?
Fear of being judged or labeled
Fear of feeling vulnerable
Fear of not being understood
Fear of reaching out to ask for help
These fears are rooted in stigma and misunderstanding. Here are some common myths that make mental health scarier than it should be.
Scary thought: Therapy is for people who are mentally ill. Telling others I go to therapy will make them see me differently.
Reality: You don’t have to be in crisis to seek out therapy. Opening up about your therapy journey can help people around you also ask for help and find a professional.
Scary thought: I shouldn’t need help. My problems aren’t that bad compared to others.
Reality: Comparison is the thief of joy. It minimizes your struggles and delays treatment. Pain is not a contest and your feelings matter just as much as others.
Scary thought: A diagnosis means you are permanently broken.
Reality: Most mental health concerns, with treatment, are recoverable. There are millions of others living with a diagnosis who lead stable, successful, and independent lives with the help of medication, therapy, and professional guidance.
Scary thought: Talking about suicide puts the idea into someone’s head.
Reality: Asking someone if they are thinking about dying by suicide reduces risk. It allows that person to have a safe space to share their pain, feel heard, and get help.
Scary thought: I am not equipped to help someone.
Reality: Talking about mental health doesn’t have to be a big conversation. It can be small but meaningful ways to ask someone if they are ok. You can say: “I have noticed you seem quiet lately and I wanted to ask how you are doing.” Or you can invite someone to lunch or to take a walk and check in with them while letting them know you are there. It can even mean just sitting beside someone and being a calm presence.
As a community, one of the ways we can help others overcome fear is to talk openly about our own struggles, how we manage them, who and what helps us, and the actions we continue to take that lead us toward a mentally healthy and meaningful existence.
When we open up, we take away the power of stigma. We allow others to seek support. We recognize someone struggling and take action to get them the support they need. We make people feel heard, seen, and less alone. And that can make all the difference in the world.
