End the Stigma - Educate Yourself
Today marks the 9th year of #BellLetsTalk. I was in the 8th grade and I honestly did not know much about Mental Illnesses and how it affects people. Bell Let's Talk has grown enormously, and has increased awareness about Mental Health. Realistically, this day reminds everyone that Mental Illnesses do exist, but does this day really educate people about what mental illnesses are and their effects?
Mental health is more than just a hashtag, mental health is something that should be talked about more than just once a year, mental health is nothing to be ashamed of. Bell Let's Talk has raised so much money for different mental health organizations. Whether you realize it or not, mental health affects each and every one of us. You may not even realize that you are interacting with people suffering from mental illnesses. Reach out, and converse with someone that may not be as social as others, smile at people you see on the street, do the little things that make the biggest difference in other peoples worlds.
Listen to what others are telling you. Ask the question, "How are you today?", reach out to friends that you have not spoken to in a while, and make sure they are doing okay. You never really know what a person is going through until you ask them, make yourself approachable. It is difficult for people to open up, but do not give up on them, everyone has a purpose and they may just need that little touch of kindness to get through the day.
So do more than just post #BellLetsTalk. Learn more about mental illness, heck even add a little blurb of something new that you understand about Mental Illness. Something new I learned today is that anxiety is very broad, different types of anxiety include; phobias, panic disorders, agoraphobia, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, etc. Simply educating yourself helps you understand mental illnesses, and truly reduce stigma.
Have a wonderful day, and be nice to people!
For more information about #BellLetsTalk, click here.