04/05/2022
National Mental Health Awareness Month
The month of May has been designated as National Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental illness is something real. Unfortunately, it is also regarded by many to be nothing more than fabrications of the mind. I know this, because for years I once believed those suffering from mental illness were just weak-minded individuals seeking attention. I dismissed their pain and agony with jokes and mockery. That is until I myself was afflicted by an overpowering bout of depression which began a few years ago after the deaths of my little brother at 40 years-old and my thirty-year-old daughter within the span of a few weeks. To add to that pain, within the past year, I've experienced the failure of my marriage and family.
I fought so hard to deny my deteriorating mental state after the loss of my brother and daughter. My brother was my best friend and my daughter was my Little Girl. I kept telling myself, “You’re too strong to let this get to you. You’re not a wimp!” However the entire time I was slowly slipping deeper and deeper into depression. Even if I could have miraculously pulled myself out of it, the breakup of my marriage and family came along to finish me off.
I’ve been devastated by these events. Sometimes the bombardment of emotional torment is absolutely debilitating. Never again will I make fun of others’ anguish from mental illness. As a born again Christian, I understand that I had to become a victim of what I persecuted to understand the truth.
The truth is that mental illness in all its wicked forms is real. Millions of people across the country suffer from it. Many have found help from organizations devoted to treating it. But too many others deal with it in the dark, hiding their disorder the best they can from the world. Like I was, they are embarrassed to admit they need help, not wanting to be ridiculed or pitied. We need to dissolve this stigma. This is what Mental Health Awareness Month is about. We have to be compassionate and understanding. We must educate ourselves to identify the symptoms. There’s a good chance you know someone who is dealing with mental illness. We have to encourage people to seek help and destroy the walls, doors, gates, and any other impasses preventing people from taking that first step to getting treatment.
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As a veteran, I know there are many of my brothers and sisters who’ve served the country that need help for mental health issues. The VA is there to help. Try the following link:
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/
There’s a host of civilian organizations devoted to treating mental illness. Try the links below if you seeking help for yourself or a loved one:
American Psychiatric Association (APA)
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families
National Alliance on Mental Illness - NAMI
https://nami.org/Home
Mental Health America - MHA
https://mhanational.org/
