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"Being Happy" Isn't Always That Simple

Mental illness: a wide range of mental conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior.

Sep 30, 2015

For a few weeks now this topic has been in my queue but I haven't exactly found the right words, or courage for that matter, to follow through with it. Recently my high school was struck with tragedy as a beautiful and talented young woman took her own life. My heart aches for her, her family and friends. With that, I decided that it was time to take a stand.

There are too many times in our lives where we judge others, we're being judged, and are simply misunderstood. I don't know if people understand that just "being happy" is a struggle for ~~a lot~~ millions of people-- it's not easy to just "suck it up" and put their problems behind them.

I'd like to say that I strongly believe mental illness is a topic that is widely overseen-- but I don't always think that anyone is to blame; I can tell you, most of the time, mental illness, is very well hidden.

According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, 1 in every 5 adults experience mental illness in a given year. So if you're on your phone right now, reading this as you sit in a room with some friends, or are by yourself and can think of five of your best friends... chances are that someone you know has either openly or internally dealt with some sort of mental illness.

Mental illness does not have a "look."

Mental Illness can be the best athlete at school, the one who everyone looks up to... She goes home and cries herself to sleep because she can't stand the thought of herself. It could be the Class President, you know, the one who has his life together and everyone is jealous of his Ivy League acceptance letters... He's scheduling counseling appointments around his long list of extracurricular activities. It's the "happy" girl at school, the one who is always smiling and is up for Homecoming Queen... She doesn't sleep at night because she is constantly awoken by the demons that overtake her thoughts.

Be a friend.

Mental illness does not have to reach the point of suicide. I hope and pray that everyone understands that there is ALWAYS someone to talk to, someone who understands your pain, and someone who loves you. So be that person yourself. Be a friend; be the person someone can trust and come to.

"Walk a mile in someone else's shoes."

The most accurate cliche I've ever heard. Be kind to one another. You have no idea the types of battles people are fighting.

According to SAVE.org (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education), there were 41,149 deaths by suicide in the United States in 2013. That's almost 113 deaths by suicide each day. So if simply being a good person isn't enough of a reason to become more conscious of this problem, the jaw-dropping statistics should be.

"Be kind to one another" -Ellen DeGeneres

SAMHSA's National Hotline

24/7, 365-day-a-year

1-800-622-HELP (4357)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

24 hours, 7 days a week

1-800-273-8255

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

"Being Happy" Isn't Always That Simple

Mental illness: a wide range of mental conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior.

Mental illness does not have a "look."

Be a friend.

"Walk a mile in someone else's shoes."

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

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