Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the USA. While it is not internationally acknowledged, and mental health in general is still a topic that isn’t openly discussed often, we feel it’s as much a reason as any to raise awareness for this tremendously important topic.
During this month, we will have a few events, as well as share some helpful information near daily, and all this will also be shared, and done in cooperation with Mafia Universe.
We are NOT providing any medical advice; we are not trained, licensed psychiatric professionals . We will simply be sharing resources from https://www.nami.org/ -- This initiative does not replace any professional help you can seek - but hope you consider it a thread of referenced information, that may benefit you in any small way or equip you better to dealing with a friend or family member.
We are doing this for several reasons, and if it helps even one person in any way, it will have been worth it.
Our goals are:
• To raise awareness: Mental health issues are extremely common, and they come in different shapes. This is incredibly important to stress. You are not alone. It is common. Being down - or being depressed; having anxiety issues - even to the point of feelings of pending disaster and not knowing what to do; having an identity or existential crisis; etc... It takes on different shapes and forms, but it is all secondary. You have the right to feel any of this. You don’t have to justify why you feel a certain way to anyone. Sometimes, you don’t even know why. Your disease does not define you as a person. Mental health illnesses are just as real and legitimate as physical ones are. Your health is your own, and cannot be compared to anyone else’s.
• To spread knowledge: You can get help. In more ways than one. There are registered healthcare professionals dedicated to helping, wherever you are in the world, who you can turn to. Family and friends may also be a great source of support. Sharing your struggles with people you trust can provide you with a huge sense of relief, even though initiating the topic of your issues may be tough in the beginning. Asking for help or support is never easy, but it can often mean taking a giant step in the right direction towards your recovery. We are surrounded by people who care for us, often more than is expressed. Asking for help is never a sign of weakness; rather, think of it as your attempt to feeling better.
• To provide guidance: How to support someone with mental health issues. While it is important to note that it is not an obligation or duty to help someone who is going through a difficult time or struggling mentally or emotionally, recognizing red flags and acting upon them is also never wrong. There are different levels to it. Even the most casual dialogue goes a long way. Asking someone how they’re doing is never wrong. If you notice any red flags, no matter how trivial an issue it may be, talking about them may help make them feel noticed and cared for.
- Self-harm and suicide are two of the worst outcome scenarios of mental health issues. Talking about it - specifically asking about it or saying that you are worried - does not worsen a struggling person’s condition. Don’t be afraid to be upfront and clear. Self harm and suicidal thoughts are often impulsive decisions, but often also something that has been on their mind as a solution to their issues for a long time. Allowing a person to come to terms with what they are going through, to recognize the severity of their struggles, can possibly encourage them to seek professional help.
- Not being comfortable enough to talk to someone struggling with these issues, or with someone you suspect is going through a rough time, is completely normal. You should not be burdened to act upon your suspicions, especially if you feel out of your depth. If you feel like you cannot reach out personally to someone struggling, sometimes reaching out to people close to them can help. But again, this isn’t your responsibility alone and you should never feel guilted into action! Don't feel like it is your responsibility and you have to do something; it's not, you don't.
• To FIGHT the stigma surrounding mental illness!
- Stigma is when someone, or even you yourself, views a person in a negative light just because they suffer from a mental health condition. Some people describe stigma as a feeling of shame or judgement from someone else. Stigma can even come from an internal place, confusing feeling bad with being bad.
- Navigating life with a mental health condition can be tough, and the isolation, blame and secrecy that is often encouraged by stigma can create huge obstacles to reaching out for support or help. Learning how to avoid and address stigma is essential!
This thread will remain locked to prevent it getting cluttered. A separate discussion thread can be found in our Events Forum by clicking here. You can also check out and the Discussion Thread on Mafia Universe!
