Today is World Mental Health Day and that’s just fantastic.
It’s a subject often considered taboo that just isn’t spoken about enough.
So it’s time to raise awareness for mental health issues! Let’s challenge outdated views and end discrimination!
Sue Baker, who works for Time to Change, a UK based mental health anti-stigma program, said:
“Nine in 10 people tell us at Time to Change that they face stigma and discrimination because of their mental health problem. What’s more, over half (58%) say that stigma and discrimination is as bad as or worse than the illness itself.
Managing a mental health problem can be difficult enough, just like managing a long-term physical health problem can, but imagine not feeling able to tell anyone that you’ve got diabetes or asthma. It’s inconceivable.”
That’s so awful!!
So what can we do about this issue? We can talk about it!
Sue continued:
“Talking about mental health can make a big difference and social contact — which is where people with and without mental health problems come together to have a conversation — is an extremely powerful approach in breaking down the taboo around the issue.”
The only way to remove the taboo from mental illness is to openly talk about it, because too many are silently suffering.
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When 350 million people globally suffer from depression, finding someone to talk to, and relate to, shouldn’t be hard.
Let’s all help each other! Together, we can bring about real change!