Yesterday was World Mental Health Day, I wish I had written about it yesterday, but haven’t been in the best physical health lately.
World Mental Health Day is a day of celebration. We celebrate who we are, no matter our differences. Some of us have depression. Others, anxiety. I happen to deal with Bipolar or Schizoaffective (my doctor is not sure). There are4 many other disorders that people live with. The thing is, we don’t need to just live with it. We need to thrive with it.
Mental illness can hold one down. It is so easy to give into the black of depression, the red and blue of bipolar, and a spectrum of colors that I imagine would be schizophrenia. We let it hold us back. Sometimes we aren’t holding it back. It rushes over us and no dam can hold it back
Being mentally ill is never somebody’s choice. Who in the world would choose to struggle so deeply? I can’t think of anyone, and I’m willing to b et you can’t either.
If I could go back to the day I first decided to give into the bullies, I would do it in a heartbeat. Or, maybe I wouldn’t. Mental illness has made me stronger. By breaking me down, I’ve been able to find my pieces. This time, I am trying to build myself on a stronger foundation. I’m going to put the pieces together in a different pattern so I will not be broken as easily. You can do this as well.
Speaking about mental illness is the first step to recovery. Talk to your family, your friends, your doctor, and anybody else you want to share your struggles with. Share your story. You never know who you could inspire to get help. Get help yourself. There is nothing wrong with taking medicine or getting therapy. It’s the strong thing to do.
I’m going to keep caring for myself, and I hope you will as well. It might only be World Mental Health Day one day a year, but every day is a day to take care of your mental well-being. Take care of yourself each and every day of the year.
I can do it, and so can you.