May - Mental Health Awareness Month 2022
Me: “ I don’t want to talk about mental
God: “Well, you have to.”
This was a conversation held in my heart obviously—a feeling I guess—at the very beginning of this month.
I will share educational things about mental health on my social media platforms all day long, but when it comes to talking about my own mental health
My mouth is zipped and the key is no where to be found.
Well, I’ve always said that I would be real, and honest, and vulnerable.
Therefore, they key has been found, and my lips have been unzipped.
My mental health has been a downward slope since August 2021.
There are so many things that have happened in the last 10 months (if I counted correctly) that have brought me to my knees of my dorm room bathroom.
The girl who NEVER cries has cried a lot.
She’s made other people cry out of worry.
When Taylor Swift said, “I might be okay, but I’m not fine at all.”
When Lauren Alaina said: “I’m doin’ fine enough to know everyone’s a little broken.”
That’s where I am right now, and that’s okay.
This Saturday will make two weeks since I graduated college with my undergrad degree. As exciting as that is…
I’m now home. All of my friends are away doing summer camps, missionary work, working, etc.
My people aren’t just down the hall anymore.
I can’t just walk into my professors’ office and rant about life.
I’m truly sad because there are so many that I won’t see twice or three times a week.
Being sad sucks, but it’s okay,
And if you’re someone who very easily slips into depression and is just “sad”
I’m proud of you.
I’m proud of me.
But this doesn’t disclose the fact that if you are depressed, suicidal, suffering from severe anxiety, grief, etc.
Reach out for help professionally and tell the people around you, so they know what’s going on.
Give yourself some grace
Give it time
Education about mental health is not enough. We need to be open and honest. This doesn’t mean you have to share traumas you’ve been through or go into detail about the panic attack you just had.
This is a “me too”
So many people are struggling, but they aren’t speaking up because they feel they will be judged for needing help.
I’m going to leave it you with this:
Dear church let’s talk about it from the pulpit. Also, pastors, it is okay to say “me too.”
You don’t have to tell people the whole story unless you feel led to. But I believe a simple, “me too” can be a world changer.
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