According to NAMI, National Alliance of Mental Illness, 64 percent of college students are no longer attending university because of a mental health related issue.

That is an astoundingly high and dangerous statistic.

To even acknowledge our youth's mental disabilities is a positive step towards a brighter future. It is allowing us, as a society, to further understand the causes and treatments to these intractable dilemmas.

The ignorance and ludicrous stigmas that have attached themselves to a mental illness have erupted in the past few years. Psychological diseases, such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), substance abuse, and more are becoming conspicuous and promulgated. The vast exposure to this predicament has led to the development of several national campaigns, like NAMI, in hopes of advocating and providing guidance to those in need.

Despite social media being a prosperous and prodigious platform for networking and exposure, it is unfortunate to acknowledge that social media is a common instigator to our generation's deteriorating mental state.

Applications like Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr are common triggers to today's world because of the morbid and pessimistic posts that are shared on a daily basis. It is distasteful and revolting to see this Domino Effect. Cyber situations like these are one of the main reasons as to why stigmas are created towards people who suffer with a mental health issue. An individual with a disorder of any kind is depicted as a person with "a need for attention" or as someone who "possesses psychotic capabilities" because of the misconstrued publicity. It creates a negative connotation to the disease's reality. It completely obliterates all of the progress that has been made to generate healthy awareness to the concern.

Mental illnesses are fairly common throughout early adolescence because of the hormonal imbalances and lifestyle alterations that transpire during that time. They are also known to be hereditary and may progress with time. Young adults in college are routinely advised to visit any psychological facilities within their campuses. Events are continuously devised in order to raise realization of the matter at hand. Students are well known to suffer with a mental disease because of the strenuous expectations that are instilled within their lives immediately. Stress and time management, as well as, sleep deprivation, are leading factors to the mind's incapability of processing and functioning properly. The danger behind the controlling aspect of these illnesses is what astonishes me because we are so vulnerable to it all at this time in our lives. Its mission is to alter one's physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental state. Without stability, we, as humans, feel inadequate; however, there is always time for change.

Numerous communities have already begun the transformation of providing professional counseling, spiritual retreats, and other advisory programs. By becoming more aware of the situation, YOU have the ability to decrease and exclude the stigmas surrounding mental diseases. Sometimes being vocal is not enough, so act. This generation is full of outspoken activists; let your voice be heard. Do not let yourself or others suffer in silence.

It is frightening to realize how destructive a mental illness can be. It's a manipulative, silent killer. Don't let it destroy our youth. Contact any of the Hotline Numbers below if you, a friend, or a family member need immediate assistance.

"So we need to stop the ignorance, stop the intolerance, stop the stigma, and stop the silence, and we need to take away the taboos, take a look at the truth, and start talking, because the only way we're going to beat a problem that people are battling alone is by standing strong together, by standing strong together."

- Kevin Breel (Writer/Comic/Mental Health Activist)

~

It's been five years; five years since my happiness was taken away from me.

From the first day of counseling to now, I struggle with accepting my depression and anxiety. Every single day is a new struggle. Getting out of bed is a battle within itself. Depression is an extra weight that I carry with me and it decided to invite its lovely friend, Anxiety, to the party.

Of course there were personal experiences that led to this, but it was something that was inevitable. My depression and anxiety are hereditary, as well. Nevertheless, I would have never thought that I would feel so grateful for the way my life has turned out. It has its benefits. I am much more reserved and observant; however, depression has the ability of formulating a heartless and numb human being, if you allow it. Depression is a cruel and malevolent intruder that has infected my life. Without the love and warmth of family and friends, I would have not been able to adjust and progress. I am blessed with wonderful parents, who have not stopped to help me through this distressing situation. To this day, every single individual in my life has managed to keep me stable and well. I appreciate the commitment, love, and continuous support I receive.

It's the simple things that keep me going.

One thing I want you to know, my dear reader, is that it is no one's business as to why you are the way you are. You owe no one an explanation or apology for feeling a certain way. You should not feel ashamed for your illness, but do not abuse it. No one wishes for this. Your depression is not an invitation for attention so do not follow social media's bandwagon of displaying your vulnerabilities and deepest demons. Believe it or not, preserving your privacy will assist in your healing process. Step by step, you will learn to adjust, and eventually, move on.

The darkness may paralyze every inch of your body at times. It may suffocate you to the point where you are blue in the face, but do not let it dominate your life and overall health.

Close your eyes. Breathe. Take every day as it comes.

Please do not hesitate to get help. There is no shame in admitting what's wrong. Never fear breaking down those walls that restrict you from living.

Remember, it all begins with you. Understand. Accept. Speak Up. Adjust. Live.

You are worth more than your mental illness. You will be okay.

Hotline Numbers:

• Adolescent Suicide Hotline
  800-621-4000
• Adolescent Crisis Intervention & Counseling Nineline
  1-800-999-9999
• AIDS National Hotline
  1-800-342-2437
• CHADD-Children & Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
  1-800-233-4050
• Child Abuse Hotline
  800-4-A-CHILD
• Cocaine Help Line
  1-800-COCAINE (1-800-262-2463)
• Domestic Violence Hotline
  800-799-7233
• Domestic Violence Hotline/Child Abuse
  1-800-4-A-CHILD (800 422 4453)
• Drug & Alcohol Treatment Hotline
  800-662-HELP
• Ecstasy Addiction
  1-800-468-6933
• Eating Disorders Center
  1-888-236-1188
• Family Violence Prevention Center
  1-800-313-1310
• Gay & Lesbian National Hotline
  1-888-THE-GLNH (1-888-843-4564)
• Gay & Lesbian Trevor HelpLine Suicide Prevention
  1-800-850-8078
• Healing Woman Foundation (Abuse)
  1-800-477-4111
• Help Finding a Therapist
  1-800-THERAPIST (1-800-843-7274)
• Incest Awareness Foundation
  1-888 -547-3222
• Learning Disabilities - (National Center For)
  1-888-575-7373
• Missing & Exploited Children Hotline
  1-800-843-5678
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
  1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
• Panic Disorder Information Hotline
  800- 64-PANIC
• Post Abortion Trauma
  1-800-593-2273
• Project Inform HIV/AIDS Treatment Hotline
  800-822-7422
• Rape (People Against Rape)
  1-800-877-7252
• Rape, Abuse, Incest, National Network (RAINN)
  1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673)
• Runaway Hotline
  800-621-4000
• Self-Injury (Information only)
  (NOT a crisis line. Info and referrals only)
  1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288)
• Sexual Assault Hotline
  1-800-656-4673
• Sexual Abuse - Stop It Now!
  1-888-PREVENT
• STD Hotline
  1-800-227-8922
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline
  1-800-273-TALK
• Suicide & Crisis Hotline
  1-800-999-9999
• Suicide Prevention - The Trevor HelpLine
  (Specializing in gay and lesbian youth suicide prevention).
  1-800-850-8078
• IMAlive-online crisis chat
• Teen Helpline
  1-800-400-0900
• Victim Center
  1-800-FYI-CALL (1-800-394-2255)
• Youth Crisis Hotline
  800-HIT-HOME

GET INVOLVED: The link below includes organizations that inform you more on what they do, their mission, and how to join.

http://www.aha.org/advocacy-issues/mentalhealth/na...