I am 1 in 5

The number of people affected by mental illness in any given year is 1 in 5.

May is mental health awareness month, and I am devoting a big portion of this blog to talking openly about mental health and ending the stigma behind it. My overall goal is to just be relatable and remind you that you are not alone.

I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder at the beginning of my senior year in high school. I was seeing a counselor at the time. (still am today) After my diagnosis my psychiatrist went round and round trying to find a medicine that would work for me. Soon after that I was put on an antidepressant. 

Anxiety affects my life 24/7; depression comes in waves. 

So, how are people supposed to cope with their mental illness?

First I’ll start out by telling you some of my coping mechanisms, and then I’ll tell you the “DUHS” (in my opinion) of coping with a mental illness. 

As I list off some of my coping mechanisms I want you to remember that YOU have to find out what works best for YOU. No one’s coping mechanisms are exactly the same.

Without further adieu:

1. Seeing a counselor and keeping the person up to date on the things going on in my life and how to cope with them.

2. Medication 

3. Journaling: I am a huge writer, and it’s really hard for me to say how I feel; journaling helps me get my feelings from my head out into the open.

4. Prayer- being a Christian prayer should honestly be number one on this list, but I write out most of my prayers in a prayer journal rather than speaking them out loud because again, I write… I don’t speak. Haha!

5. Listening to music- music has always been really soothing to me, and some songs are able to say things for me that I am unable to say myself. Making a soft chill playlist is a good way for me to practice breathing and get back to my “normal” self.

6. Reading- this may not come as a surprise since I find comfort and peace in writing, it’s only fitting for reading to be a coping mechanism too, right? Reading for me has always been an escape. I’m able to go into another world and focus on fictional characters problems instead of my own.

7. Going for a walk or a bike ride. I’ve found this a great tool for me recently. Getting away from the space I feel trapped in and being able to go outside with nature and the fresh air. I call it my “break”

8. Keeping in touch with friends - it’s really important to me to have friends I know I can call on when I’m in the middle of a panic attack or feeling depressed. Having people to be there with me and make sure that I’m doing the necessary things like eating… people I know who will get me out of my bed when I’m depressed and take care of me. I’m blessed to have friends like that.

9. Poetry- much like journaling poetry is a different way to get my feelings out. It’s very therapeutic for me.

10. Open communication with myself and those around me - I often fail at this big time, especially communicating honestly with myself, but I’ve found it super important to let the people around me know when I’m having a bad day (or if I know a bad day is coming.) If my anxiety is super high, if I am feeling depressed that way they know how to react, and I’m taking responsibility for myself by letting others know, so I don’t rely on myself when I’m not myself because THAT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.

Those are just ten things that I try to train myself in doing. Some of these may work for you as well, some may not. 

Now on to what I believe are the “DUHS” in managing and taking care of your mental health

1. Go to a counselor, talk to SOMEONE. I know a lot of people who just jump straight to medication and while medication is helpful, it is not going to fix everything. By going to a counselor you can get to the root of your issues. The person can help you find the best coping mechanism for you and your illness, and medication USUALLY comes after that.

2. Admit you have a problem, but don’t milk it. I know a few people who have a mental illness and just don’t deal with it, or they pop a pill and think that’s enough, it is not enough. You have to learn how to love yourself enough to get help in order to make your life easier. 

3. Tell people when you are feeling down. I know 2 out of three of what I have mentioned are things on my list, but it’s only because I feel like you need to be honest with yourself and other people or nothing is going to change. 

I know it’s scary to ask for help. I spent two years so deep in anxiety and depression and no one knew because I couldn’t admit to myself that something was wrong. It wasn’t until my mom caught me having a panic attack in my room one day that I actually got help. If she wouldn’t have barged into my room when she did I have no idea where I would be today. 

I want you to know that you are not alone. 

Someone cares about you.

Your mental illness does not define you.

Most importantly, It’s okay to struggle with your mental health.

What’s not okay is struggling but doing nothing about it.

There are people who want to listen to you.

Ask for help

It’s okay not to be okay.

My name is Lauren, and I am 1 in 5.