All You Have To Do Is Ask
When I remembered May was Mental Health Awareness Month, I decided I was going to post a song that has helped me with my own mental health and a link to a nonprofit organization for mental health on my social media every day. I figured that maybe someone will see the posts and realize they are not alone in their own mental health struggle. I put the reason why the song helps me with each post. If they end up listening to the song and liking it, that is just an added bonus, but the main reason is to let them know that someone understands how they feel.
I have written about mental health a lot lately.
A few years ago, I kept my emotions to myself. I did not want to tell anyone that I was suffering. I suffered in silence for a long time before a song made me realize I needed to do better for myself. I finally asked for help, and when I became comfortable enough to talk about it, I decided I did not want anyone else to suffer in silence like I did. I do not mind talking about my mental health, and neither should anyone else.
For some reason, there is this huge stigma around mental health that no one wants to talk about because if you suffer from a mental illness, something is wrong with you. Being afraid to talk about how you are feeling can make you feel like you are drowning in loneliness.
Do not be afraid to ask for help. There are people out there who want to help you. There are nonprofit organizations who offer free advice from therapists and support from afar. However, there are people you know who want to help you as well. These people can range from parents, professors, mentors,or friends. I know asking for help can be difficult, but in the end, it will be so worth it.
This may sound cliché, but you make today better, and it is okay not to be okay. I do not mind talking about my mental health, and if you are comfortable, you should not be, either. There are people out there who want to help, and all you have to do is ask for it.