Breaking Down the Stigma Wall

Mental illness is something that has been ignored for way too long. It's something that people feel ashamed to talk about because there is this stigma that surrounds it. All of a sudden people are being told that it's not ok to be feeling the way that they're feeling. That it's some how wrong. That they're choosing to feel that way.

Many people go day by day not speaking up about how they are feeling for the above reasons. Someone may ask them how they're feeling and they'll say "fine" and we go on accepting that response and move on instead of asking if they really are "fine".

In 2003 I learned that accepting "fine" as a response isn't good enough. I will admit, however, that I sometimes still accept "fine" as a response and wish that I wouldn't. This is why.

My friend Kieran wrote a very touching and inspirational blog that deserves to be seen by the world. The blog talks about his personal struggles with mental illness and how he found the strength to reach out to someone for help in what could have been his final moments. Not many people are able to find that strength. 

I don't know what my life would be like without Kieran in it. He is such a fun-loving, energetic, humorous guy that I couldn't be luckier to know. People struggling with mental illness tend to think that no one would miss them if they were gone. I can tell you his funeral is one I would not want to go to any time soon. This world would be a much sadder place without him. 

I had my own personal experience with depression when I was younger. It's not something I talk about often. It's still something I struggle with from time to time, though I feel after eight, almost nine years that I have better control over it. I still remember that night, holding the knife in my hand, I didn't think my life was worth it. I thought about my parents and how they would feel. I honestly don't know where I would be had it not been for my dog coming up to me at that very moment and nestling his head against my leg. My dog saved my life that night. It was enough for me to say something to my mom and seek out help. 

Once I found my strength in accepting the way I was feeling wasn't wrong and that I wasn't alone, I wanted to make sure that anyone feeling the way I was never feels alone.

Music has always been something to help me through the tougher times.

So I ask you to Take A Moment everyday to ask someone how they are doing. That simple concern can save someones life.