by Memory Thomas
Mental Health is a person’s condition with regard to their psychological, emotional, and social well-being. It determines how we handle stress, relate to others and make decisions. Mental Health is an important factor in every stage of life from adolescence to adulthood and is so common that it affects 1 in every 5 Americans. Certain things such as, biological factors, life experiences, and terrible traumas throughout the span of one’s life can result in mental health problems and begin to affect one’s mood, thinking and behavior. Thus developing into a mental health illness. Mental Illnesses can happen to most anyone and are completely out the person’s control. To majority of people on the outside looking in A person affected by mental illness will seem perfectly fine due to the fact this type of illness hides in plain sight. This is because it affects the emotional side of the brain and is often referred to as “The Invisible Illness”.
The invisibility of Mental Health illnesses is what caused me to become passionate and do my research on the topic. Someone I cared so much about was hiding her pain in plain sight. My best friend developed a mental Health illness 6 months ago. My first reaction was frustration. Because for me, everything was JUST normal. Just 6 months ago we were spending our days at the museum, going to happy hour to laugh, joke and roll our eyes at guys. Just 6 months ago we were hiking to the ollywood sign and dancing at rap concerts. Just 6 months ago she was growing in her position at SpaceX and we were finally getting this adulting thing down. Then, 6 months ago my friend started to display very odd behaviors. It went from “Ha ha, your trippin girl.” to “What are you talking about, you’re scaring me.” She became extremely paranoid thinking people were following her and talking about things that didn’t make sense. She lost her interest for fashion and photography and it felt like she was a ghost even though she’d be standing right there. It was like she was someone else. I became frustrated because I couldn’t understand what was going on, It felt like a joke. I wanted her to pull it together and tell me what was wrong or what I could do. Sure you hear of people losing their minds.. I mean I’ve seen “One Who Flew Over the Cukoo’s Nest”. But I never thought or believed it was so real that it could happen to someone I know. Someone I’d known my whole life and whom appeared to have the most optimistic and positive attitude. Someone who was on the cusp of a great career. Someone who could probably solve any mathematical algorithm in her sleep. It didn’t make sense and as I started to get angry thinking this was a phase where she was feeling weak and insecure and it wasn’t an excuse to give up on yourself, your friends nor your family. I was disappointed and this wasn’t how the girl I used to know would go about her issues. What was happening to my friend was a force much deeper than sadness or defeat. Something was attacking her mind and I was going to figure it out. I picked up a book and started doing research on Mental illnesses. It caused me to not only become knowledgeable on the subject but it also made it real and made me become understanding. It helped me to be less confused and more accepting. The reason I share this experience is because if I’d never had it, I probably would have never known or cared about the significance of the month of May.
The entire month is dedicated to the observation of Mental Health Awareness and has been observed since as early as 1949 here in the United States. The point of Mental Health Month Is to detach the long time stigma connected to Mental Health and let people know that Mental Health is something we should all care about and be aware of. When discussing health, we want to extend the conversation to go beyond just physical diseases and prevention but mental disease and prevention as well. The focus of health should focus on one’s overall health and well-being. That is why this month of May is dedicated to starting those uncomfortable conversations that are so hard to have around Mental Health. This will not only help to build a better understanding about Mental Health illnesses but also, increase access to treatment and insure those living with a mental health illness that they are not alone and they are not crazy! I encourage all of you to take some time this month or any month hereafter to donate to a local mental health center, do something that clears your mind or listen to do more than just hear, but pay attention.