Empowering and Inviting People: Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, and the Strength of Awareness

Imagine waking up each morning, carrying the weight of invisible struggles. You get ready for the day, and you put on a mask—because that’s what we’ve been taught to do. We smile, we keep going, and we tell ourselves that everything is okay, even when it isn’t. But what if you didn’t have to wear that mask? What if, for once, you could simply be yourself, without the need to cover up the pain or the vulnerability?

Breaking the Mask: The Pressure to Be “Fine”        

Every day, many of us mask our struggles. We wear the face that others expect us to wear, because it feels safer than showing our true selves. We think it’s easier to hide behind a smile, a conversation, or a routine that feels fine to others. But deep down, it’s exhausting to keep pretending everything’s okay when it isn’t.

What if, instead of hiding our struggles, we allowed ourselves to be real? What if, like the lyrics from Thursday by Jess Glynne, we could say, “I won’t wear makeup today—I’m sick of covering up.” It’s not just about the physical mask, but about the emotional one we wear every day.

Imagine living in a world where we didn’t have to pretend, where it was okay to say, “I’m struggling right now” and to know we wouldn’t be judged for it. That’s the world we need to create: one where we can take off our emotional masks and embrace who we truly are—vulnerabilities and all.

Mental Health: A Daily Commitment to Ourselves        

Mental health isn’t something to address only in times of crisis. It’s not something to discuss only when tragedy strikes. Mental health is a lifelong commitment—a commitment to our well-being and to understanding that we all have struggles. We are all on this journey together, and we all need support at different times.

The lyrics “I won’t wear makeup on Thursday, I’m sick of covering up” don’t just apply to our physical appearance; they apply to the emotional burdens we often carry. It’s time to stop hiding and start facing our struggles head-on. By being honest about what we feel, we open the door to healing. But healing doesn’t happen by itself—it requires us to acknowledge the truth of what we’re experiencing and to seek help when needed.

Suicide Prevention: Creating a World Where No One Feels Alone        

The darkest aspect of mental health struggles is when someone feels so alone, so invisible, that they see suicide as the only way out. This is where prevention must come in, long before someone reaches that breaking point. By talking about mental health more often, by encouraging open conversations, we can ensure that no one feels isolated in their pain.

Just as the song reminds us, “I don’t need makeup to cover up,” it’s important to recognize that emotional pain doesn’t need to be hidden. We need to listen when someone says, “I’m not okay,” even if they’re saying it quietly or with hesitation. That moment can be the difference between despair and hope.

Suicide is preventable, but only if we are proactive in our care for one another. By showing compassion and reaching out to those in need—by listening and not ignoring the signs—we can create a world where no one feels alone enough to take their own life. We must all play a part in that.

Empathy, Education, and Support: The Power of Community        

Mental health must be a topic we address regularly—not just when something goes wrong, but all the time. We have the power to create a supportive, empathetic community where people can feel comfortable speaking about their mental health struggles.

This is where education becomes key. The more we learn about mental health, the better equipped we are to understand the people around us. We need to listen to the quiet signals that someone may be struggling, and we need to show up for people long before they reach the point of crisis. This creates a culture of awareness—one where people can share their struggles without fear of judgment. Mental health isn’t just a personal responsibility—it’s a communal one. The more we normalize these conversations, the more we can prevent situations where someone feels like they have to suffer in silence. No one should feel like they have to hide what they’re going through.

Creating a Safe Space: No One Should Be Left Behind        

Imagine a world where we’re all allowed to be vulnerable—where we don’t have to mask our emotions, where it’s okay to not be okay. This isn’t a dream. It’s a possibility, a reality we can work toward. But it starts with all of us. We need to be the ones who check in on others, who listen when they need to talk, and who offer help before things spiral out of control.

A community is strongest when it’s built on honesty and support. That means not waiting for someone to cry out for help, but being proactive—checking in on those we care about and creating a space where they can feel comfortable being their authentic selves. This kind of community is powerful because it recognizes that everyone has value, even on the tough days.

You Are Not Alone. You Matter.        

If you’re struggling right now, it’s important to know that you are not alone. Your pain is valid, and you deserve to be heard. Please, reach out for help if you need it. You are worthy of support, and there are people who care about you. You matter. Your story matters. Your life has meaning. It’s easy to think that no one understands, or that no one will care. But the truth is that there is always someone willing to listen, to help, and to support you. Healing begins when we reach out to one another—not in isolation, but as part of a community.

Let’s create that community together. A place where no one feels invisible. A place where vulnerability is seen as strength. And a place where, above all, no one feels they need to mask their pain.

A Final Word: The Stark Reality of Mental Health Struggles        

It’s important to recognize the harsh reality of mental health struggles: in just three years, 87,000 people with severe mental illness have died from preventable physical health conditions. This tragic statistic underscores the urgency of the issue and the need for more attention to mental health care. When we don’t take mental health seriously, it leads to devastating consequences. This is why we must prioritize mental health every day, not just in moments of crisis.

If we truly want to make a difference, we need to keep raising awareness, offering support, and creating a culture where mental health is not just a topic for the occasional conversation, but a constant focus of care and compassion. Only then can we start to make real, lasting change and we can’t wait for something to happen to start caring. Let’s care now. Let’s be proactive. Let’s listen. Let’s act. Because no one should be left behind.