It's Time to Look Out for #1 | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

It's Time to Look Out for #1

It's okay to be selfish when it comes to mental health!

8
It's Time to Look Out for #1
exposingtruth.com

Life is precious. As cliché as that may sound, there is no phrase with more merit. For those with mental illnesses, this is a truth that is too close for comfort. The difference between one day and another can be the will to live. In 2016, society still creates a social stigma around mental health, and the battle churning within can oftentimes go unnoticed. Yet, this is a battle that must not be discounted. It is a fight that can manifest an illusion of a life not worth living, when every day seems like a lonely struggle.

Not only have I experienced mental illness, but many people close to me also enter into combat with mental health disorders every single day. It is exhausting to feel so alone with a disease that many people do not recognize or understand. Mental health education is severely lacking and the additions of it would be beneficial in enlightening people on how to recognize those facing mental illnesses and effectively take action. Such schooling would surely lead to a decrease in mental health episodes and prevent suicide attempts. Recognition is a significant reassurance to those suffering. First, it conveys a sense of understanding. Secondly, it provides a support network that is entirely lacking in today's society. Simply knowing that society ranks mental illness on par with other illnesses would greatly improve many victim's outlook.

Society will play a substantial role in bettering the lives of those confronting mental illness, but the greatest battle comes from within. Beginning in middle school, I began fighting an eating disorder and depression. I would go to doctors appointments and take the necessary steps to please them and my parents, but that was a means of appeasement. Whatever it took to accomplish the very minimum required, I would do. This worked out for the five years until I left home and was alone in the world. It was then that I realized I had never fully embraced the recommendations of my parents and doctors. I had not accepted my diagnosis and taken the appropriate steps to remedy myself.

The real key to success when addressing mental illness is full-fledged acceptance and investment into one's health. Sometimes, this requires one's full energy. For millennials, who are constantly moving and seeking advancement, this is a hard pill to swallow. Homework, club membership, extra work for one's boss, keeping up one's appearance - this is a lot to balance. Life is overwhelming at times, but nothing else matters if you cannot be fully there due to the demands of your mental illness. Caring for one's health is a facet of life where it okay to be selfish. Simply put, it is time to look out for number one.

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

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

12687
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

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

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

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

2202
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

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

1365
black marker on notebook

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments