And remember that people that struggle with chronic mental health issues are some of the grittiest, most mentally tough people you will ever meet. Take a minute to ask them about their journey, and listen without judgement… you’ll see these people are simply extraordinary.
Please treat those people you meet that struggle with mental health kindly, and take a minute to consider how exhausting it must be to manage a chronic illness that affects your ability to control your emotions and to think clearly.
Like someone with diabetes sometimes our medications need a tune up, or we have a bad day in spite of doing all the right things.
I’d challenge you all to start thinking about mental health as a biological chronic illness. Kind of like a diabetic that doesn’t produce insulin. Just like someone with diabetes, we make lifestyle changes & take our meds to stay healthy. Just like someone with diabetes sometimes it’s not enough.
So if those of us with depression, and anxiety have the grit and mental toughness, along with being the folks that routinely “do the work” to stay mentally balanced and healthy, why does so much of society still look at people with mental health issues as weak, under prepared, or unable to cope?
This means that my depression and anxiety aren’t an issue of mental toughness. The amount of grit it takes someone with mental health challenges to get through the day is extraordinary. Many of us have to dig deep and apply that grit just to get out of bed, we are by nature extremely mentally tough.
Can we talk for a minute about mental health? What I wish more people understood is that my chronic anxiety and depression aren’t a matter of me not being able to handle it all, it’s about my brain not producing enough of the right neurotransmitters.
Time for this gem to make its yearly appearance… might as well grace Bluesky with the amazingness that is this picture. Uncle Tom, Uncle Verne and my dear old dad… circa early ‘70s. Chicken legs for days!
We may be frozen solid, but at least we live in a state that respects its citizens right to live as their authentic selves.
Today seemed like the day to do this.
