Hi!
It's that time of year.
In Canada, we have a mental health awareness movement called "Let's Talk" which has the day of focus falling this year, on Wednesday, Jan 24th.
That's the day the spotlight shines brightest, but that light should not be allowed to dim throughout the rest of the year. Every day should have a focused on mental health.
I don't think that means it becomes the only thing we focus on, it doesn't define us, and mental health is not about only those who suffer diagnoses. Mental health is for everyone to be aware of, be mindful of, take care of.
Just like we should get checkups, and listen to our bodies when it comes to physical health, we should always pay equal attention to our mental health. Just like you don't need to be diagnosed with heart disease to gear your lifestyle toward maintaining a healthy heart, The same goes for your mental health. You don't need a diagnosis to take care, and gear your lifestyle toward maintaining good mental health.
Life is hard at times. It becomes hard for everyone. Of course, there are different degrees of hard. Different definitions. Some people tend to panic when their bank account dips below $5000, while others' panic button doesn't even quiver until the final notices start appearing in the mail and they have no way of paying.
Some find it hard to be in a crowded room, others thrive in that circumstance. Some have days when they struggle to get out of bed one day and feel like they can take on the world the next. Some carry themselves with an unshatterable positivity. Everyone has their quirks, their own triggers, their own trauma, their own coping mechanisms. Some cope with unhealthy tools, some cope through completely healthy means, and others just keep doing their best. There are still others who don't want to lift that veil, living in the land of denial, scared of what they may find. I think we, all of us, share aspects, carry pieces of all of the above.
Each of us have bad days. Again, that is defined very differently by every single soul. None of us can truly walk in the shoes of another, but we can have compassion and be empathetic for people living in circumstances we don't share. We have to try to step outside of the view through our own lens and be willing to see clearly, without bias, without judgment, the truths of those who choose to share, and bare their hearts.
To those who struggle, feel you are a burden, entertain thoughts of leaving this earth at your own hand...hear me.
If we don't hear the whispers, if we are oblivious to the subtle, please get louder. You are not alone, please reach out. In Canada, we have a national suicide hotline 9-8-8. If that feels too much, do less, but please do something. Whoever you reach for may not say the perfect things, but give them a chance. Give someone the chance to listen. We need you here. We need you to stay. We need you to trust that joy will find you, even if you can't see that right now.
You are worthy of every happiness. You are enough just as you are. You are perfectly you, and you are precious. If you can't feel that right now, that's okay. Just please hear it, and hold it until you are able to take it in, receive it.
You matter.
Discussing mental health is not a talk that only happens once. It's not a one-and-done kind of conversation. It's life. Like talking about sex, relationships, developing life skills, there are initial age-appropriate talks to break the ice, taking away feelings of taboo. But, then those conversations need fleshing out, they need countless revisitations, expanding, always ending in a to-be-continued state.
Cracks are beginning to show in the stigma. Let's shatter what's left of it.
Let's Talk.
*************************************************
May you find the strength and courage to reach as far and wide as you need to be heard.
May you accept how precious you are, how worthy, how perfect, how exceptional, whenever you're ready, until then, please believe my words.
**************************************************
No comments:
Post a Comment