May is mental health awareness month and despite the recent spotlight, there are still stigmas that bar many from seeking treatment. Mental illness and mental fatigue are very real in which too many are still struggling in silence.

The more you know: You don’t have to be diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder to experience mental health struggles.

The Fear of Being Diagnosed as Crazy

In the infancy days of mental health care, there were a lot of misunderstandings about how the brain and thoughts worked. The mentally ill or those who had behaviors outside the norm were called crazy and sent to institutions. This inevitably started the fear of being labeled crazy and has progressed as a barrier in seeking mental health treatment today.

The more you know: Each time you see a medical provider, there must be a diagnosis to appease the insurance companies. Engaging in mental health treatment follows the same guidelines. Some diagnoses are major (major depressive disorder) and some are not (adjustment disorder with depression). Ask you provider about your diagnosis.

The Fear of Other’s Opinions

There is a pervasively destructive idea that seeking mental health treatment is weakness. This truly insane assumption presumes everyone should be invincible to stress, worry, grief, hurt, trauma etc. This level of unrealistic perfection contributes to suicidal thoughts, addictions, destructive behaviors, dysfunctional thoughts and broken relationships.

The more you know: The people who appear to be ‘perfect’ also struggle with something. The proverbial therapist couch has welcomed the most unlikely people and will continue to do so. FYI – not all therapists have couches.

A Little Help Please

We all need help at some point in our lives. Some people ask for help, some people struggle with sharing and others have stubborn pride. Seeking help is no different from going to the doctor because of an injury.

The more you know: There are moments when you can handle and resolve your distress and there are moments when you will need help. Your wellness depends heavily on you knowing the difference.

Put Stigma Aside

Shall we put stigma aside for a second. This conversation is about you and your holistic health.

You are the only one living in your body and consciousness. You do yourself a disservice by ignoring your distress. The same is true that you will benefit greatly from engaging in self-care. Mental health is a part of self-care and it is about time you make it a priority.