I Honor Mental Health

Today, people all over the world are acknowledging this day as World Mental Health Day. As day where we are to pause and recognize those impacted by mental illness as a result of various levels of life trauma – from the harm one human can do to another human.

As I see all the images and reminders to honor this day; I am called to go deep within my own life and acknowledge how my life has been impacted, shaped, and healed from mental illness.

Like many of you, I too have family and friends who carry diagnosis of mental illness either on their sleeve, or in that place where no one will ever know or see because the shame is too great a risk.

I myself have experienced bouts of anxiety, panic, depression and trauma from the sharp cuts made from emotional and verbal abuse…even the biting memory of physical abuse at the hands of someone who said they loved me.

We all at some point in our lives experience challenges with our mental health, whether we seek medical help or choose to find other ways to cope…to mask the pain…to hide from the shame of carrying such a secret about ourselves.

We watch our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, return home from serving their country with wounds so deep there seems to be no way of healing, and the burdens they carry from the pain they have endured for their love of country are great…many have been carrying these wounds of trauma since World War II, and as they live each day, their pain is lessened knowing that one day it will end…as many said, time heals all wounds. Does it really?

Lets ask those children whose lives have been impacted by abuse, which when unacknowledged becomes the paths where mental illness takes root…unresolved trauma manifesting into unhealthy thoughts, words, behaviors, and values…scarred from the layers of pain.

This post isn't about bringing your down further into your sadness; it’s about honoring that you have a new opportunity each day to live, to heal, to be happy once again…to learn new ways of overcoming and coping that will restore your mental health to a healthier way of being...of living and thriving each day.

Let’s all end the shame of mental health and honor the healing that is necessary to thrive and return our word to health.