Mental health is a topic on the rise. People everywhere are outwardly discussing it through published articles, tweets, posts on Facebook and other social media sites, and in conversation with their friends and acquaintances. Mental health is a serious topic and it's reassuring to see people truly trying to educate themselves on it. But, with all of the information coming out, now we need to ask, how many of us are being honest about our concern with mental health within ourselves?

I've been "that" person. The one who hides her feelings of mental illness from her family and almost all of her friends because she feels like they won't care anyways. The person who secretly feels sad but smiles when anyone is around. The last person anyone would guess was struggling with a mental illness.

Well, it's out now. I struggle with mental illnesses. My family and friends know my struggle. They know I see a therapist and have herbal medications to help. And the best part? I'm better. I'm better because I have support from the people who love me. I have help from professionals. And I've accepted that things just went differently for me than I would have planned. It's all okay.

So now, I reach out to you. To whoever reading this feels they are hiding things from the people around them. To anyone who thinks they are struggling but doesn't want to ask for help because they don't realize how many people truly care. To the person who thinks they'll just get better on their own. PLEASE ask for help. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Talk to a professor or a coworker or your doctor. You need help and support and love to get you through; that's normal. Seeing a therapist or taking medication doesn't change the fact that you are human or make you weak.

I beg that anyone who does suffer from mental illness, diagnosed or not, to please speak out. Make your voice be heard. Help be the voice for those around you. You are not alone, and you never will be, no matter how you're feeling at this point in time. Continue the fight, and let us help. Keep the discussions rolling and share your story. Be honest, be real, and you will be at peace.