May is Mental Health Awareness Month

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. In the United States, one in five Americans experiences a mental illness, including depression, anxiety and psychosis. Although the numbers show how common mental illness is, the stigma remains.

Stigma often prevents people from getting help out of fear of discrimination. I’ve worked with many people who withhold their suffering from co-workers, friends and even their closest family. They worry that others will view them as helpless or even dangerous.  These worries lead to isolation and eventually worsened symptoms.

So how can we reduce the stigma? First, we need to be open about our own mental health issues. We don’t necessarily have to broadcast every personal detail, but be comfortable enough to share our challenges in conversation. For example, turn a conversation about a celebrity’s public meltdown into an eye-opening discussion about mental health. By admitting we’ve had our own bouts of depression, anxiety or substance abuse, shows that no one is immune and everyone can overcome any challenge.

We also need to reach out to others who appear to be struggling. Don’t just ask “how are you?” Delve a little deeper. For instance, if your co-worker had a death in the family, continue to check in with them weeks later. Acknowledge that grief is very difficult and you are available to talk.  

Lastly, social media can be a wonderful way to get the word out about mental health issues. Share interesting articles and positive encouragement to others. I once shared an article about suicide grief and a friend of mine privately thanked me. She shared struggles with me that I never knew about. The lesson: you never know who you can be helping.