It’s #BellLetsTalk day on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, a day in which Bell Canada donates 5 cents to mental health charities for every usage of the hashtag on social media.
Those of us who battle mental illnesses, and come forward today to share their stories (see: my depression and anxiety make everything difficult), are not looking for a pat on the back or some sort of validation by doing what we’re doing.
We’re trying to share our stories to let you know that mental illnesses affect more people than you could possibly imagine, and that mental illnesses are OKAY to have–they’re chronic illnesses, chemical imbalances in the brain, not “something wrong with people as persons.”
In the U.S., we don’t have an initiative like #BellLetsTalk, but there are resources for people who need mental health resources, from 1-800-273-TALK to highly localized public health organizations that help the uninsured with their mental health. As many of you who have health insurance know, it’s a rough go trying to advocate for yourself and your care…But the battles are worth it.
From one mentally ill person to whoever’s out there who needs to hear this, mental health is part of your overall health, and if you have a mental health issue, please reach out, be it to me or anyone else (see: rtxg@yahoo.com for me), because we are here to listen and try to help you find the resources you need.
If you have a mental health issue, you’re not alone. And you merit relief. #BellLetsTalk
