I've heard people say that this generation (millennials) has more mental health issues that generations before us. That we're more anxious and more depressed than our parents or grandparents were at our age. While this may be true, I think that people see it this way because our generation has started to open up about it more than ever before. We're having conversations about mental illness. We're letting people know that we're not okay, rather than keeping it inside and dealing with it alone.
Talking about mental health, especially your own, is never easy. It's scary. It requires making yourself vulnerable. But it's necessary. It's how you start on the path to feeling better and becoming better.
It took me a long time to open up about my mental illness. But once I did I realized how surrounded I was by people who were going through the same thing. Here are some ways that may help you have those tough conversations about your own mental health.
1. Take your time
While it’s important to talk to someone, it won’t do you any good if that conversation happens before you’re ready. There’s no timeline for healing. It’s hard to explain to someone elas what you’re feeling, especially if you haven’t acknowledged those feelings yourself yet.
2. Emotions are not the enemy
This is a tough subject. Your mental health is complex. If you’re reaching out for help and you need to cry about it, then cry. It doesn’t make you weak. If you need to yell or throw something, do it. (Preferably not something breakable, maybe like, a pillow). Bottom line: it’s okay to feel however you feel. Let it happen.
3. Remember that this conversation is about you
There will be time to acknowledge other people’s feelings later. If you’re taking the time to sit down and talk to someone about your mental health, it’s your time to shine, so to speak. Mental health problems and mental illness are hard for a lot of people to understand. But don’t let that deter you from saying what you need to say.
4. Don’t apologize
GiphyWhen you’re talking to someone you care about, and that cares about you, it can be easy to feel like you’re at fault. Like you’re burdening them. But it’s important to know that your mental illness, your mental health, is NOT your fault. Don’t feel like you need to apologize for something that’s beyond your control.
5. Do it your way
Even though all these tips helped me open up about my depression, that doesn't mean that they'll work for everyone. Maybe you need to have a light, humorous conversation rather than a heavy, serious one. Maybe you need to do it over the phone rather than face to face. If you need to be angry, or nervous, or sarcastic, go for it. The most important thing is that you're talking about it at all. There's no set of rules to follow. Do what makes you comfortable and ensures that you get the help you need.
You're not alone in the way you feel. But that's hard to accept when you've kept your feelings hidden and buried for as long as I did. Getting help and talking about mental illness is terrifying, but the end results are worth it.
