To the person dealing with mental health issues…

 

I know it’s hard. Everyday just getting out of bed is hard. How you want to stay there and not interact with the world. Outside is where happiness happens, and you just can’t seem to find it. The questions that arise. “Are you okay?”, “Why are you quiet”?

The thoughts that rotate daily in your mind, and you just can’t seem to turn them off. If only people understood what you were thinking, the everyday struggles you encounter, and the peace you hope will find you. You think every day that no one understands.  The questions you’ll be faced to answer can only be answered with a “yes” or “no”,  or an “I don’t know” because not even you understand what you’re dealing with. Mental health sucks for some of us. It’s a daily struggle that we take medication for in order to relieve ourselves of the symptoms that we’re having. For some, its talking to a professional in hopes to feel better after each session. Then you have the small portion of us who hope to get over anxiety and depression without any help. We mask those symptoms through friends and family, drinking, drugs, and any other substance that makes us feel “normal.”

Mental health is serious, and people will never understand your mindset. You’ll spend most of your time trying to figure out why you are the way that you are and why you’re going through such a hard place. I’ve heard people tell you that you aren’t alone… if only it could be that simple. They understood that alone is exactly how you feel. Because speaking about what you don’t understand is difficult.
Depression takes on many forms and it will completely change your life. I’ve heard people being told that everything will be okay. But how far is okay and how deep does that word go? I’ve even heard, if I got through it, you can too”. The best one is “Pray and talk to God” and you just want to scream after hearing those words. I’ve tried to talk to God, and I don’t believe he’s heard me because of what I’m going through.

It’s impossible to listen to those words when everything is dark around you. There seems to be no visible outlet. I know that those aren’t the words that you want to hear. That most of the time all you need is someone who will listen without judging and telling you that you don’t have a reason to be depressed. Just because the sun is shining doesn’t mean that it’s shining in your world.

I get it.

You want individuals who will let you cry. I know that when you sleep all day that’s a sign, and often that’s the closet you feel to death. You are sleep to the world and aren’t existing in it until you awaken and realize nothing has changed.

To the person that is dealing with mental health issues, that are taking prescription medication to combat those feelings; keep taking it if it brings you relief.

To the one that is talking with a therapist keep going if it’s giving you hope.

And to the small percentage who believes they can conquer those demons on their own keep believing. But promise me if it gets too difficult that you’ll reach out to someone.

You haven’t lost.

You are not worthless.

You are loveable.

You aren’t overreacting and you have every right to feel the way that you do. You are not a burden. Speak up and speak out!
You are not your depression or anxiety. You can’t explain a condition to someone who hasn’t been through it. To the people who tell them that everything is going to be okay and never checks on them… STOP! If they thought that everything was going to be okay, they wouldn’t be in there state of mind. It’s not enough to tell someone that everything is going to be okay.
Your mind controls your body. Saying it’s going to be okay to a depressed person is saying that to a kid who fell and can get right back up. It isn’t that easy. It’s not enough to tell someone to pray, but you won’t pray with them. It’s not enough to send “just checking on you” messages. If you don’t understand how depression, suicide, and anxiety affects the mindset, then do your research. Know how to talk to someone and know the signs and symptoms. But most importantly, know how to show up.

To the person dealing with mental health issues. I know it’s a struggle and life can be cruel. Nothing and no one around you makes sense. Trying 3 or 4 different medications before you find the right one can get exhausting. But don’t give up on yourself because you don’t feel “normal”. I mean what is “normal” anyway? I think it’s overrated.

You are someone’s way out, and you are a testimony for someone else. No one can tell your story or struggle like you can.

To the suicidal person who wants the noise to stop. Who wants the tears to flow and just wants someone to see you. I see you. I feel you. Life won’t get easier until you find your inner strength to get up and move. You can quiet the noise and to speak life over you. And even when you can’t find the words to say and speaking is exhausting, write it down and then throw it away. You are not what is trying to break you.

To the person dealing with anxiety, the world is a scary place. People are everywhere and no one understands how much your mind races with negative situations and possibilities that have yet to occur. How you overthink everything and live in fear all the time. Anxiety is exhausting and people don’t understand that some days your focus will be off and living in the moment is just not ideal for you. Surround yourself with positive people that will push you out of your anxiety into something much greater.

To the friends and family members who are dealing with people who have mental health issues. Patience is a key. Don’t try to push them to talk to you right away. They haven’t even gathered what’s going on. Be by their side and speak up for them. Watch the signs. Be there. Hug them. Pray WITH them. Never let them feel your absence or like they are a burden.

To the people dealing with mental health. You are important. Worthy of all life has to offer. You’ll have bad days. Find someone to talk to. Don’t push away the people who want to help. You are an amazing person. Most importantly, it’s okay not to be okay.

– Laura Smartt

 

About Contributor Laura Smartt

 

Laura Smartt is the creator of Raising Up Queens: Empowering The Queen In You. She resides in Huntsville working in healthcare and ministry. You can check out her blog at http://www.raisingqueens.com