—
Everyone seems to be talking about mental illness. Unfortunately, when mental health issues are mentioned in the mass media, it’s generally with a negative connotation. The most egregious example arises after every mass shooting in the United States. In the aftermath of these horrific events, mental illness becomes a favorite boogeyman trotted out by pundits and politicians.
While the mental health of mass shooters should be investigated, it’s irresponsible for news outlets to speculate and rush to place the focus on mental illness. Simply mentioning the subject in close connection with a violent act can be detrimental to de-stigmatizing discussion of mental health.
But the damage is done. Mental illness has become a convenient scapegoat for mass violence. Our instinctual fear of the unknown and the urge to find answers for unthinkable tragedies has made us desperate for explanations. What’s a more convenient explanation than the “lone nut” or “the crazy guy with a gun”?
It has become all-too-clear that we can’t wait for the government, mental health care providers, pharmaceutical companies, or any other organization to help us normalize open discussion of mental illness. So, I propose another solution: everyday people need to step up and break the stigma once and for all.
That’s why it’s time to #BareYourMind to the world.
Be the Effing Change, Already
I’m not asking you to restart the argument about what percentage of mass shooters have diagnosable mental illnesses. We don’t have to once again bring up the consideration that mass violence may have more of a sociological, rather than psychological, origin.
We’re not going to make this change stick with more appeals to rationality. We need to stop talking from the head, and start acting from the heart.
That means everyone needs to do more than send their “thoughts and prayers.” Instead of reposting a picture of Gandhi with the “be the change” quote, it’s time we actually become the effing change. The only way that’s going to happen is if people take action and put some proverbial skin in the game. As someone diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I fully intend to put my money where my mouth is. I hope you’ll join me.
Share Your Mental Health Story
The way we’re going to finally normalize the discussion of mental illness is to actually share our stories of mental health struggle and triumph. We need brave people to step into the light and take a stand. We need to put a human face on the topic and hit people in the heart with our stories.
First, if you have a mental illness, don’t hide it anymore. Don’t suffer in silence. If you haven’t already done so, get help, just like you would for a physical illness.
Everyday people need to step up and break the stigma once and for all. That’s why it’s time to #BareYourMind to the world.
Whether you’ve just been diagnosed or have lived with mental illness for years, please consider sharing your experiences with the world. Post your story somewhere, include all the details you care to share, and be sure to use the hashtag #BareYourMind when you speak your truth.
I truly believe the way to de-stigmatize mental health is to share the mental wealth. But this is only going to work if we come together and show we’re just as human as everyone else.
Fortune Favors the Bold and Vulnerable
I don’t believe in luck. I believe we make our own luck when we take bold action. When it comes to this issue, we need to use the power of vulnerability to get people’s attention.
Human beings pay attention to vulnerability because, deep down, everyone wants to be understood. When you let yourself be vulnerable, people tune into you because we all crave the connection of shared human experience.
Sadly, too many of us are now socialized to see vulnerability as weakness. Yes, talking about your mental health will require a big dose of bravery. But remember, being vulnerable doesn’t make you weak. Real bravery is feeling the fear and doing it anyway. Being open about your fears and struggles is a true sign of strength.
Your vulnerability will help your own self-esteem because you’ve spoken your truth and released the burden of suppressed emotion. At the same time, you’ll help others by showing them they’re not alone in their struggles. Ultimately, I hope we move the entire discussion away from the term mental illness (which puts the focus on what’s “wrong”) to mental well-being (to focus on what’s right with us).
I look forward to sharing with you. Remember, this isn’t about misery loving company. It’s about making a commitment to #BareYourMind so you can help others bear their own. Let’s show the rest of the world we’re not just convenient fodder for explaining bad human behavior.
—
What’s your take on what you just read? Comment below or write a response and submit to us your own point of view or reaction here at the red box, below, which links to our submissions portal.
◊♦◊
Get the best stories from The Good Men Project delivered straight to your inbox, here.
◊♦◊
Sign up for our Writing Prompts email to receive writing inspiration in your inbox twice per week.
—
Photo:Shutterstock