You ever feel like telling someone about the crippling anxiety you feel? Not sure how? Or maybe you want to ask your friend how you can help them through their depression. Whatever the case may be one thing is certain: Mental illness is a taboo topic and we need to learn to talk about it. So let us do just that! Bring our monsters out into the open and make them less scary.
How about talking to your boss about it so they are aware that you have anxiety and understand when you tell them you need a break during an attack? Or maybe you have autism and want to get a job?
But….but….what if they aren’t accommodating?! 😮
For advanced as we are in our society we’re still incredibly behind when it comes to the workings of the brain and abilities….or rather in this case disabilities and the impact it has on people of all walks of life. Mental Illness doesn’t discriminate; it can affect anyone and everyone.
Not many places have a mental health policy in place yet. But it’s my hope that the more we get this out there and talk about it the more it will be accepted enough to create policies and safety nets for those who may need them in times of crisis. No one wants to get fired for something they didn’t ask to live with. I know I sure don’t.
You’re scared to talk to your boss about it because what if they tell you it’s not real or just to work through it?
It is possible.
Should you try anyways?
Absolutely!
The only way you’ll find out is by asking. Luckily employers are becoming more understanding and creating new policies and options for those who require them. Giving you an extra break, letting you do your own thing, or understanding when you say you’re calling in and using a mental health day rather than a sick day.
For lots of people, having their mental illness acknowledged is enough to provide a comfortable work environment. Just knowing that you have an option if you need to step away can be incredibly reassuring and help make the workspace that much more comfortable.
Personally, my own situation went from hiding my anxiety and depression from employers to openly telling them during the interview. I sat down face to face with my demons and decided it was time to stop hiding them. When I put it all out there like that I have never been scolded or been made to feel bad about myself. Each person who has interviewed me has been understanding and they don’t let it affect my employability thankfully. I used to be afraid to talk about it because I felt that it made me less of a person or someone who was deemed unfit to do the job I was applying for. Hush hush about mental health and just deal with it in solitude and silence. Well, in today’s society where we are overworked, underslept and eating junk day in and day out makes ‘dealing’ with it difficult. More people are needing medication and various other coping mechanisms. If we’re going to live in this kind of messed up world lets at least be able to have some damn help. Let’s talk about it and make it okay to be open and honest.
It’s more than the workplace though.
On my birthday I had a couple friends over and one mentioned she was on medication for anxiety now. And my other friend has also lived with anxiety and depression for quite some time. We had an amazing discussion to which the friend who began taking the anxiety medication says “I’m glad to have found some people to talk to about this.”
Way to make me sad in one sentence. This triggered something inside me, realizing that since someone may not need the help themselves for a long time there is no need to learn or discuss it openly. And when someone may be in their adult years suddenly requiring help, finding a solid support group can be very challenging while also quite scary.
I’ve kind of thought hard about this and realized – in my opinion – there seem to be two major reasons people may not be talking about mental health as much.
NO EXPOSURE
If you grow up in a household that never needs to deal with mental illness then I am happy for you! However, if this does happen then it could lead to the idea that it doesn’t exist or if people don’t talk about it then is it really that bad?
And if that’s the case it doesn’t mean you aren’t sympathetic or cruel to people, but it could hinder an ability to recognize when someone is going through a hard time with depression. (Because those with depression can hide it well sometimes) It might also be more difficult to find an appropriate response when talking to someone who is dealing with mental illness, causing discomfort in a conversation that may lead to avoidance. It simply means that growing up you never had an opportunity to learn proper response technique or ways to help effectively. All because of a lack of exposure.
And this can easily be corrected! Just start by asking “how can I help?”
There are books, seminars, movies and people out there full of information and are ready to guide you if you do want to learn more about helping a friend with anxiety or how to understand that friend with bi-polar.
But it’s up to you to take that first step. Ask for help or ask how you can help. It’s that simple.
FEAR
Fear of talking about mental health is a large factor in many people’s lives. For those struggling with mental health, we don’t want to be discriminated against just because we have something we never wanted in the first place. It’s already scary being in our own minds dealing with this shit day in and day out. Our hearts are heavy and our minds are tired. And those who don’t experience a particular mental health issue may be afraid of offending someone or saying the wrong thing.
Whatever the reason, we can overcome this by using the tools available to everyone; books, online forums to learn and support people from all kinds of backgrounds and just staying open to peoples stories. Ask someone how they deal with their mental health and what kinds of things help them. Ask how you can help make things easier for them. Or if you are struggling then keep a journal. Learn about yourself and what makes you tick. It’s okay to ask for help and we need to be diligent in getting mental health out there into the open. Wounds need oxygen to heal and this should be no different.
Living with mental health issues don’t have to be scary. Even if your anxiety is telling you that going outside is a horrible experience, know that it lies. You can overcome and you can do that thing you’ve always wanted to do. Don’t let the fear of some unknown thing stop you.
If it can be solved, there’s no need to worry, and if it can’t be solved, worry is of no use.
~Dalai Lama
Sincerely,
Sock Rocks
Socks In My Rocks 
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