As a psychology major, it has been my passion and duty to study about mental illnesses and their treatment. I have read countless articles and textbooks on counseling, research conducted in the field and the use of medication to treat these illnesses. Likewise, it has also opened up my eyes about the stigma that exists for mental illness and the difficulty that comes with such a diagnosis. The thing about psychological disorders, no matter how extreme, is that they are not as easy to detect or treat. I read a quote once by Martha Manning that spoke of depression: “There are no fevers, no rashes, no blood tests to send people scurrying in concern. Just a slow erosion of self, as insidious as cancer. And like cancer, it is essentially a solitary experience; a room in hell with only your name on the door.”

This holds true, of course, for diseases other than just depression. Most psychological concepts are still rooted in much mystery and question and indeed can be debated about their existence of origin. Despite whatever theoretical orientation you believe in, whether you believe in determinism or free will, or if you think psychologists and psychiatrists are quacks, mental illnesses should never be treated lightly or as a joke. To tell a person with depression to just “stop being sad,” or a person with anorexia nervosa to just “eat something,” is utterly disrespectful and ignorant.

There is also a stigma for receiving help for mental illnesses. It’s as if to do so is admitting defeat and weakness. In reality, I think it says just the opposite. It shows strength and courage. If someone had a gunshot wound or a broken leg, we would look at them funny if they didn’t go to a hospital or get some medical help. The same rule should apply to those dealing with diseases we cannot see on an MRI or X-ray. Shouldn’t we applaud someone who reaches out for help when they are suffering within their own minds? Shouldn’t we feel the same compassion for those people as we do for someone who has any other medical diagnosis? If someone opens up about a struggle they are going through, we should listen and take it seriously. More than likely, that person had to work up a lot of courage to even reach out.

Diagnoses such as depression, bipolar and OCD should not be used as everyday adjectives for things and people that they don’t apply to. I can’t even count the amount of people who laugh and say, “Oh, it’s my OCD kicking in,” when they like their picture frames hanging straight on a wall. Or, when someone calls another person bi-polar when they reacted slightly emotionally to a situation. Mental illnesses are not labels to wear and buzzwords to hand out like candy. They’re real and should be used only when a diagnosis has been given by a professional. And they should certainly never be used to make fun of someone or for the purpose of being dramatic.

Most importantly, people suffering should know that they are not alone. No matter what it is you are going through, no matter the struggle or battle, there is always hope and there is always help. No one has any right to shame you, embarrass you, or make you feel like any less than what you are worth. As someone going into the field, I urge everyone reading to help the end the stigma and the misconceptions about mental illness and about those suffering.

There is always hope.

There is always help.

Nation Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255