Picture this:
A talented, young and gifted person just graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, successfully completed several marathons, has been selected to become a part of an elite fraternity, found and proposed to the woman of his dreams and is a standout employee at a Fortune 500 company.
He’s The Man, right? Well he might not think so.
This is more than a self-esteem issue. In some cases, a person could be dealing with something that needs way more attention. Mental Health issues receive a certain amount of attention; however, in some societies and cultures, the topics are swept under the rug and the mentality is “out of sight, out of mind”. That literally is not the case. People deal with so many pressing issues internally; there is no escaping your brain and thoughts.
Mental Health issues cannot be overlooked
After the untimely death of Yusuf Neville, the gentleman whose life I described in the first paragraph, the Black American population in particular has been called to more awareness and acceptance of mental health issues. Neville committed suicide and saw this as his only means of escaping pain and suffering. As many health professionals know, there are various methods to treat mental health disorders but people are either unaware, afraid of being stigmatized or encouraged that there is nothing different about them.
Yusuf Neville died at the age of 28 as a result of suicide
Stigma: “a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality or person”
Who would want to experience stigma simply for being who they are? Not I.
Instead of feeling alone or feeling that you will be shunned by society if you are dealing with a problem associated with mental health/ substance abuse, know that you are among 26.2 percent of people (that’s 57.7 Million people) in America alone that suffer from a diagnosable, TREATABLE mental disorder in any given year. You, my friend, are definitely never alone.
For people who are supporters of those suffering from mental health, remain a source of support. You have no idea how helpful your presence is.
Now, for those who believe that mental disorders are contagious, fictitious or significant of a contaminated soul, you are wrong. Educate yourself. Learn the facts. It is not your fault that your environment has made you this way. However, you can make a difference.
How to get help: http://www.mentalhealth.gov or http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net
For supporters: m.helpguide.org
my.health.is.beautiful 