BE A PERSON SOMEONE CAN TALK TO, NOT THE PERSON THAT IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THEM.

As we are head long into the start of the holiday season, many of us are feeling alone, scared, frustrated, uncertain, depressed, unsure.

I WANT EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU THAT IS READING THIS TO KNOW - YOU ARE NOT A LONE AND YOUR FEELINGS ARE VAILD.

This season for too many Americans (264, 000 plus,) there is going to be a special person not with them this Christmas. And there are many others in other countries that are experiencing the exact same pain - the loss of a loved one, I AM ONE OF THE THEM.

I lost my mother this year after her courageous years long fight with cancer - she died at the very beginning of this pandemic.

And because of everything being shut down from our businesses, community centers, places of prayer and worship, schools and of course all forms of travel - I NEVER GOT TO SAY MY FINAL GOODBYES TO HER.

My father is 80 years old and has underlining health concerns of his own, as most seniors do and my only form of communication with him, is through email and telephone - IT'S NOT THE FUCKING SAME AS BEING ABLE TO HUG AND HOLD HIM, TELL HIM I LOVE HIM.

SO, AS A BIG MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE - I AM WRITING THIS POST BECAUSE "I AM YOU AND YOU ARE ME," NO MATTER YOUR RACE, SKIN COLOUR, GENDER, RELIGION, FAITH, POLICTICAL PARTY, OR WHAT COUNTRY YOU ARE FROM - WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!!

And just like Covid 19 pandemic, mental health does not see your skin colour, your gender, your faith, your race, or culture - there is one other thing that also is blind to who you are yet effects all of us - STIGMA.

SO, THIS HOLIDAY SEASON IF YOU SEE SOMEONE, HEAR ABOUT SOMEONE WHO IS STRUGGING - PLEASE BE THAT PERSON THEY CAN TALK TO, NOT THE PERSN THAT IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THEM.