Mental health is defined as the psychological and emotional well being of a person. So what does it mean when you struggle with mental health? Well for me it’s feelings of worry and sadness. Feeling as though I just can’t get enough sleep or like I sleep too much. Feeling of weakness. As if I can do nothing right. Or like I have to get everything done right now and become overwhelmed because I’m unable to stick to one task. 

This unfortunate disease plagues more people than we realize. 1 in 5 children from the ages of 13 to 18 currently or at some point experience mental health issues. Some with even debilitating symptoms require advanced care in mental health facilities. It comes as no surprise that since the start of 2020 those numbers have gone from 12.9% to over 25.2% due to the stresses of life during the pandemic. Depression is the leading cause of mental health issues with more than 300 million people suffering or have suffered from it. 

Until recently, mental health came with a built-in name of just “ You’re crazy” or “You need to get over it”, or “That’s life”. Those not realizing how damaging such phrases are to those who already feel as though things are hopeless. For a greater part of the last three years there has been a big push for understanding and compassion for mental health issues.The biggest organization being The American Psychiatric Association. Celebrities indorse seeking services, they speak of their own struggles. A song dedicated to understanding “1-800-273-8255” is a song by American rapper Logic featuring Canadian singer-songwriter Alessia Cara and American singer-songwriter Khalid, also giving the hotline for those who need someone to talk to without feeling judgment.

We all need understanding and compassion in life. With social media putting everything in our faces 24/7 it can be extremely hard to navigate your emotional health. Support is huge in maintaining mental and emotional health. We have gyms for physical health so we need gyms for our minds as well. Not a place to work out but a place where we feel safe. Someone we feel safe talking to. Honesty is key. Setting boundaries of “Hey I don’t feel like myself today”. Coping skills like art or music, walking. Being able to even have those hard conversations with our parents about “this is making me feel this way” or “ I just need a, b , or c at this time” . The biggest thing we can advocate for is to not suffer in silence. PLEASE reach out if at any time you feel like you are not well mentally or emotionally. There are places and people who understand. WHO CARE!