Dear individuals struggling with mental illness,

About one in five American adults struggle with mental illness. That being said, there is still a stigma concerning mental illness. Like invisible disabilities, because they are not something that can’t be seen, there is a skepticism surrounding it. This can make situations very difficult on the road to recovery.

But I would like to take some of your time to reassure you that your pain and struggle and mental illness is completely valid. You are not broken. You are not weak. Regardless of whether your mental illness is a result of a chemical imbalance, a traumatic event, a difficult situation, or a combination of the three, it is not your fault that you are suffering.

However, please don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you need therapy or medicine or both, it is all right. Unfortunately, it is less common for men to seek treatment for their mental illness, though men experience mental illness just as much as women.

As well, it is more common for ethnic minorities such as Latinos and African Americans to struggle with mental illness than it is for Caucasian Americans. However, these minorities are more likely to blame themselves and try to “just get through it” more often than Caucasian Americans.

Additionally, those in the LGBTAQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, queer, and other members of this community) are three times more likely to suffer from mental illness due to societal pressure,

Mental illness does not discriminate between gender, race, or sexuality. If you fall into one of these categories and feel as though you need support via therapy or medication, please don’t hesitate. It can significantly improve your life, and it can certainly fortify the idea that you are unique, important, and worthy of being happy.

Furthermore, please don’t compare your mental illness or your road to recovery to others struggling. Not all therapists will be the right fit for you, and not all medications will work, even if they work for a loved one. You might suffer from side effects, and have to switch medicines. And even if a medication or a therapist works for you for a little while, it’s not uncommon for them to eventually not be a proper fit. And these instances are all okay. Please don’t get discouraged, and please don’t give up. Everyone has a different experience with mental illness.

It might take awhile for you to stabilize. I know one of my friends was able to alleviate the symptoms of their mental illness within six months. For me personally, it took two years to finally feel as though I was mentally healthy. I had to change therapists a couple of times. I had to go through a couple of medications before I found one that worked. And even once I reached that point, one of my medications wore off, and I had to switch. It was very difficult, but I got there. You’ll get there too.

Even if you pursue therapy but are concerned about going on medications, please talk to your doctor and see if you can work something out. I was scared to go on medication initially, but I got to a point where just therapy wasn’t working out. However, I know some people who relied heavily on therapy and were able to feel better without medication. Neither option is better than the other: it’s just a matter of what works for you. There is nothing wrong with needing medication, but there is also nothing wrong with not needing medication.

If you do decide to go the psychotropic route, please don’t stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor. It’s possible that you will alleviate your symptoms and become confident that you can manage without medicines. And maybe that’s true. But maybe it’s not. Also, some medications have really bad side effects if you stop taking it all at once. You might trigger a relapse. Your body might go into withdrawal. Please, please, please don’t make that decision on your own.

Please don’t self-diagnose. It is very easy to go onto Google and compare your symptoms to what is listed online or grab a DSM. But if you are not a professional, you might misdiagnose yourself and go about the wrong way to recover. Please consult a therapist or a psychiatrist before labeling your mental illness.

That being said, don’t be afraid, to be honest with your mental illness to your therapist or your psychiatrist. Most of them truly have your best intentions at heart and want to help you stabilize as soon as possible.

Also, don’t be afraid, to be honest with your mental illness to your friends and family. Having a support system in place could really help you on your road to recovery. I know it is difficult, and I know there might be a backlash. But those that really love you will try. Having validation from the important people in your life can help take weight off of your shoulders.

Please consider talking to either your teachers, your professors, or your bosses about your mental illness. I understand that they might not be the most supportive, but there’s a possibility that they might be. And having them work with you in terms of scheduling and work and assignments can help alleviate some pressure on you and expedite the process.

In the thrusts of mental illness, it is very easy to withdraw or lash out at your loved ones. It is also very easy to overreact to certain situations. It is a terrible side effect of mental illness that can really damage your social life. If you regret your actions, don’t be afraid to either apologize or at least talk things out with individuals you might have strained relations with. Because after all, these were your own actions, and while you suffering, they are still ultimately your actions. It does take a lot of courage and swallowing your pride, but it might be really helpful.

Additionally, it’s not selfish if you need to take some time to yourself. It’s okay to ask your friends for support through this transitional period. But I would highly recommend being honest. If you need to cancel plans, if you have a panic attack in public, if situations go haywire, it’s not your fault. It might be really worthwhile if your loved ones are aware of the rationale behind your actions, and might help keep your relationships on the right track if you can talk it out to those who are understanding.

If you are on the road to recovery and you relapse, that is also okay. You will get back on track. Please don’t give up. I promise that if you try, things will get better. It might take awhile. It might not be easy. You will get there. You deserve to get there.

Lastly, you are wonderful. You are unique. You are important. I am so sorry that you are struggling with your mental illness. I know how hard it is. I wish I could do more than just write a letter. If you need to talk to someone, I would recommend finding solace in a therapist or a loved one. But if you feel like you have no one to turn to, I am open to being contacted.

Good luck with your recovery. I truly wish you the best.