We often carry around false beliefs about mental illness that add to the stigma, struggle, and suffering. Perhaps you hold a few of the ideas I once believed. Let’s strike down those false beliefs. Will you join me and step up and help with Mental Health Awareness?
Will You Step Up and Help With Mental Health Awareness Month? Let's strike down those false beliefs. #mentalhealthawarenessmonth Click To TweetWe have come a long way as a nation, and people are beginning to have more conversations about mental health. Yet, stigma, misinformation, and inability to receive care still exist, and as a result, many people do not seek help and therefore go untreated. We can help change that by adding our voices through conversations and information sharing.
You never know; something you share or communicate about mental illness may change a life. #mentalillness #mentalhealthawareness Click To TweetIn Need of Help With Mental Health Awareness
When mental illness became apparent in my family, I did not know how to help or where to turn. I felt like a failure because I could not take my child’s unexpected pain away. Then, I held many false beliefs about mental health disorders to make matters worse. See if you can relate to any of these.
A Few False Beliefs and Truth About Mental Illness
Myth: Mental illness isn’t real, and it is something made up in our minds.
Truth: Yes, mental illness is real, like any other sickness.
Acceptance is one of the most complicated aspects to grasp. However, once we learn to accept the reality of the illness, it leads to more understanding and opens up the opportunity for change to occur. Without acceptance, one most likely won’t start seeking treatment.
Myth: People who have a mental illness are weak or have a character flaw.
Truth: Those fighting to get better are the strongest people we will ever meet, facing challenges that most will never know. I admire their ability to persevere when faced with more pain than most will ever know.
Myth: Mental illness only impacts the person diagnosed, and therefore they are the ones who must change.
Truth: The entire family and those close to the person also feel the impact and need encouragement. When family members are willing to make changes and do the hard work alongside their loved ones, better outcomes are possible.
Myth: Mothers can fix anything.
Truth: Mothers can be supportive, understanding, and educate themselves, but they can’t fix mental illness.
Myth: Miracles only count when God answers our prayers and completely heals mental illness.
Truth: Miracles come in all sizes, forms, and time frames. Learning to count the little ones along the way is vital because eventually, they will add up to a mighty big one. Healing sometimes comes through medicine.
Myth: If a person has a mental illness, the parents are always to blame.
Truth: There is a biological component to mental illness, and parents don’t cause the mental illness. However, the home environment is essential and can either improve, trigger, or worsen symptoms. Improving relationships and learning what helps can make a huge difference.
Myth: In support groups, all you do is sit around and talk about your problems, which worsens the situation.
Truth: There are all kinds of support groups, and everyone in the family needs support. When we share aloud and hear the stories of others walking through a similar circumstance, the load feels lighter as we recognize that we are not alone. However, I am a big proponent of education, skills, and support.
Myth: Everybody has a little bit of mental illness.
Truth: We all have mental health (physical, social, and emotional well-being) that needs care and attention. In addition, we all have quirks and challenges we struggle with from time to time. Poor mental health does not necessarily indicate an illness.
However, mental illness is a medical condition, which involves changes in behavior, thinking, or emotions and often impacts daily functions and relationships. There are specific criteria for each mental health disorder and, when met, will indicate a mental illness is present.
Improving our mental health is essential for all of us, not solely those with an illness. Exercise, healthy food choices, socializing, rest, and therapy can help.
Will you be ready to have a conversation, or are you still believing some false beliefs about mental illness? Please take some time this month to learn more about mental illness. Click To Tweet
Why Help Spread Mental Health Awareness
I have sat in numerous hospitals and treatment centers visiting loved ones. Inside, the excruciating pain of watching and hearing others suffer is almost unbearable. On a few occasions, an unknown girl would wander near. With sadness in her eyes, she would brush up against me, touch me, or boldly say, “Can I sit with you? My mother doesn’t come anymore to visit.”
My heart would shatter into a million pieces even though I understood what it was like to watch an unexpected mental illness threaten to take your child. One prayer I often said was, “Lord, please don’t let our pain go to waste. Please show me the way through the suffering, and I will help others not give up on their loved ones.”
God gets all the credit for walking with me every step. He equipped me and gave me strength, peace, and courage. He provided people willing to step into our messy lives. Some pointed us towards help, others sat with us, and many prayed.
People Need Help
When a friend first suggested attending a support group for caregivers, I wasn’t too keen on the idea. But I nodded and thanked her because it felt good to know someone cared. One night in desperation, I drove across town all alone to attend. One by one, people would share, and I found some gave me hope for a better future, and other stories made me recognize my blessings. However, as I drove away that night, I kept repeating, “there is no way I’m joining that club.” Then as I pulled into my driveway, the realization came over me that I was already a member, whether I liked it or not.
Education, Skills, and Support Help
I learned there is such value in education, skills, and support. Perhaps, your family doesn’t struggle with mental illness. However, I am sure someone you know might. Maybe they haven’t shared with you, but seeing a post on your social media about mental health awareness month might open the door.
Perhaps, if the moms of the girls I mentioned above would have had support, education, or learned some skills, they too would have been sitting next to us. Together let’s help spread mental health awareness, so people know where to turn and don’t give up or burn out. No one should travel this road alone.
Step Up and Help With Mental Health Awareness
Clifford W. Beers founded the organization Mental Health America (MHA) in 1909 after experiencing and seeing horrible abuse taking place in public and private institutions. MHA is the organization that started Mental Health Awarness month back in 1949. Each year they choose a new theme which you can discover on our Mental Health Awareness page.
There are numerous ways to step up and help with mental health awarness, especially during May. Please visit our mental health awareness page to discover how you can get involved. One simple way is to share this post on your social media.
Will you step up and help with mental health awarness this month? Please share how you will make a difference this month.
In addition to writing at Embracing the Unexpected, Maree Dee is the Founder of Embracing Faith & Mental Illness and Co-founder, leader, and speaker at Circles of Hope, a mental health ministry. Maree is a devoted and experienced advocate for families living with mental health challenges. She knows firsthand the pain of watching family members struggle with mental illness and the helpless feelings which can leave caregivers lost and without hope. Maree strives to educate, support, and teach life-changing skills in a faith-based environment.
Grace & Truth Christian Link-Up
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Embracing Faith & Mental Illness Community
Embracing Faith & Mental Illness is a Christ-centered online community for people who care for someone with a mental illness. We have four unique ways for caregivers to participate. You choose what works best for you. Click the graphic to discover what we have to offer.
Click here to discover four unique ways for caregivers to participate.
Upcoming Talk | Mental Health
How to Help Someone in a Mental Health Crisis
Are you a caregiver for someone with mental illness? Are you equipped to handle a mental health crisis? Our knowledge and skills can become a little rusty over time. We invite you to join Maree Dee and her guest, Mike, as they impart valuable tips, personal experiences, and a crucial tool for handling crises.
When you register, you will receive a link from Zoom and again on the day of the talk.
Meeting Time Saturday, April 27, 2024: 9 – 10:30 am (Pacific Time) | 10 – 11:30 am (Mountain Time) | 11 am – 12:30 pm (Central Time) | 12 – 1:30 pm (Eastern Time)
Thanks for spreading truth over the myths! I never considered anxiety to be a form of mental illness until it began paralyzing our home. We have good and bad days, but recognition was the first step to accepting the situation. Now it’s all about seeking help. It’s very slow but moving in the right direction. Thanks for all your work here. You are an encouragement.
Suzette, I agree recognition is the first step. I am so glad for the progress in your home. Slow is so much better than none at all. Thank you for your encouraging words. Maree
Maree, I appreciate the insight you bring to this tender topic. The Myths and Truths are so important to grasp. As a mom of sons who both have some depression times, and as a woman with friends who have dealt with or who have had children/family members who have mental illnesses, I am better understanding so much more about this. Thank you for bringing this subject into a public place where more people can learn.
Jeanne,
Thank you for your encouragement and kind words. I’m right there with you; the more we learn, the more we understand, and then hopefully, we can respond in a kinder, more helpful way. I am always learning.
Blessings,
Maree
What an excellent call to action to help with mental health awareness. Sharing!
Adonai, Thank you for your sweet note of encouragement. I hope you have a blessed weekend. Do you have any special plans? Maree
Mental health is so important for all of us. Awareness can help us all be more aware and compassionate. Thanks for all the great information you share on this topic.
Ginger, Thank you for your encouragement and for stopping by to read and comment. I agree mental health is essential to all of us. Maree
Thank you so much for this. Anxiety and panic attack friend here. Thank you for speaking out and sharing these suggestions.
You are so welcome! Thank you for sharing about your anxiety and panic. I believe the more we share, the more others will too. I hope you have a great weekend. Blessings, Maree
Thank you for dispelling these myths and getting good information out.
You are so welcome. Thank you for taking the time to read about mental health awareness. Maree
My dear, I read about the legendary country singer who took her life with a gun because of mental illness recently. A very beautiful lady , Naomi Judd, couldn’t go on. I understand how she feels because I have the same illness she has.
Major Severe Depression, and Anxiety disorders along with Panic attacks. She went through that horrible ECT(electric shock treatments to the brain) that I went through in 2008 and 2009. It was extreme hell on earth …mental anguish, torture of the mind, and excruciating pain that feels UNBEARABLE!
Naomi’s depression was resistant to all medications and shock treatments. She fought the hardest and the longest. I walked in her shoes for years, and fortunately, a brilliant Jewish chief psychiatrist at Vanderbilt hospital saved my tormented mind and my life. The doctor stabilized my condition in a few days .
I still have to take my meds and that helped me alot.
Kalyani,
Thank you for sharing some words about Naomi and yourself. She did fight hard, and living with a mental illness is hard work.
I am so thankful that you have fought the fight. Your life gives everyone hope for a better tomorrow. Thank you for sharing here in this space. That is fantastic news that you found a great psychiatrist who was able to help you and that you have found meds that work.
Blessings,
Maree
Thank you for sharing your experience & bringing awareness here Maree.
I think you have revealed so many truths above which are so important for understanding & to support all those dealing with mental health challenges including their loved ones.
I’ve always believed as a Mental Health professional that awareness is the first step in educating the wider community.
Bless you sweet friend,
Jennifer
Jennifer,
A big thank you to you for your dedication as a Mental Health professional. Over the years, I have had an opportunity to work with quite a few, and I am so appreciative. We would not be where we are today without the help of many. Maree
Maree
Thank you for making me listen. I’d be the person who scoots away because I don’t want to see this picture of a burden that I don’t “have” to bear. You are so right — just the mention is enough to give a word of comfort and support. Maybe to a caregiver or to someone who struggles with an illness that is poorly defined and misunderstood in our society.
As always, you gently urge us to pay attention to something important.
Grammye,
Your comment brought tears of gratitude to my eyes. Thank you for taking the time to read. Blessings, Maree