Talking about mental health not only will help you with your own mental health struggles, but it also shows other people they are not alone. It can be extremely isolating when you are struggling with your mental health, especially with a stigma attached to them. According to Mind, 1 in 4 people will struggle with their mental health. There has never been a more important time to open up about mental health and have more conversations within your community.
To get started, it is important to learn more about mental health. This awareness will help you understand your own struggles better, and how to have relevant conversations. Conversations are important to show people they are not alone and provide them with hope. You can research online, speak to a specialist, or you can have a look at participating in adult MHFA courses. You can talk about mental health in your local community, within businesses, or at online conferences. You can also have conversations with friends and family. Every conversation will have a positive impact.
If you are on the fence about having a conversation about mental health, here are some of the reasons why it is important.
#1 Reduce the stigma
Unfortunately, mental health has a negative stigma attached to it. This is due to a variety of reasons, such as personal beliefs, as well as fear and a general lack of understanding. Mental health has been represented in a variety of ways that is not very accurate, which has misled the societal beliefs around certain conditions, especially for conditions that leave a person to act what is deemed outside the norm. The more people who are vulnerable, and open up about mental health, the more it can be destigmatised and accepted within society. This will make people feel a lot more comfortable.
#2 Help others feel less alone
If you are struggling with a mental health problem, it can be extremely isolating. You may feel the need to isolate yourself, or perhaps you no longer have the energy to be around your friends. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression, or exacerbate any existing conditions. When you have more conversations about mental health, you can show them that they are not alone, and support them in building confidence to live their life.
#3 More people would feel comfortable seeking help
One of the hardest things to do when you are struggling with your mental health is to seek support. This can often be because of the condition itself, or the stigma attached to it. When there are more conversations and vulnerability within society, it provides people who feel hopeless and alone, with some hope that change for them is possible. It can also help them understand their conditions better, and learn about what kind of support is available for them. It will be extremely helpful in helping people build confidence to ask for help.
Having a conversation about mental health may be hard at first as it requires you to be vulnerable. However, if you have confidence in yourself, these conversations can be extremely valuable and help many people in society who are struggling.
Thank you for exploring this and highlighting that we should all be encouraged and free to talk about our mental health. Finding help and support will be easier if the stigma that still (sadly) lingers finally ends. Great post!
Thank you. I agree, we should be encouraged to talk about it.
Yes! So true! These are the reasons why we must be open about mental health. It’s ok not to be ok.
I definitely agree with this!
It’s so important to be open about mental health, as a society, we need to reduce the stigma surrounding it. As somebody suffering from mental health, I agree entirely with everything you’ve written here! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you. It’s great to know someone can relate, but I hope you’re ok.
Mental health is so important and should be discussed to ensure we can identify any issues. These are some great reasons to talk about mental health. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren – bournemouthgirl
It should be discussed more and I hope more people soon feel able to open up.