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Feeling Okay, Not Feeling Okay?

Let’s Talk About It!

I’m not crazy. I

don’t need help. I’ll

just pray about it.

BY DANIELLE JONES, LPC
hese are all statements I
have heard from people
when asking them if they
Thave considered thera-
py. Even with mental health being
talked about more now than it
has in the past, people still have a
negative connotation about going
to a therapy session or discussing
their feelings with friends/families.
Mental health should be just as
much a priority as physical health, defines mental health as “a state of Starting the conversation about
especially since mental health can well-being in which the individual failing mental health does not have
contribute to issues with physical realizes his or her own abilities, to be a therapy session or appoint-
health (i.e. stress leading to strokes can cope with the normal stresses ment with a primary care physician;
or heart attacks). Everyone must of life, can work productively and it can simply be admitting you do
start making their mental health a fruitfully, and is able to make a not feel well or feel like yourself.
priority and letting go of the neg- contribution to his or her commu- You can admit this to yourself or
ative connotations from the past. nity.” So why is it so tough to talk share it with a safe person. It can
Reducing stigma, admitting you’re about? Understanding that mental be as simple as when someone asks,
not okay, and utilizing social are all health is simply a mental state, and “how are you?” instead of reply-
necessary components to starting not an implication of being mental ing with the easy answer of “fine/
the conversation about mental ill helps to take the pressure off good” give them an honest answer,
“I’m actually really sad/tired/mad/
health. the conversation. Every aspect of scared/etc.” In addition recognizing
life contributes to mental health changes in your daily behaviors
Reducing the stigma around men- (break ups, sick family members, car (sleeping too much/not enough,
tal health helps with starting the accidents, getting a new job, having crying frequently, eating too much/
conversation. Everyone has mental a baby, etc.) People have conversa- not enough). Letting your feelings
health, just like they have physical tions about their life everyday and out into the atmosphere will help
Follow us at @therapyislight health. Mental health sadly has do not realize they are discussing you acknowledge how you are feel-
their mental health. Making people
a negative connotation of being
ing and make it real. Often people
on Instagram crazy or mentally not well, which is comfortable discussing their mental overlook their feelings and behav-
state and how things are going in
iors by invalidating them or compar-
not the truth. Many are unaware
of what mental health actually their life helps to facilitate a pro- ing their situations to other people.
is so starting the conversation is ductive conversation on mental This looks like “I cannot be de-
difficult because everyone is not health because it truly is second pressed because my situation is not
on the same page with its meaning. nature and less taboo than people as bad as theirs or I’m not sad, I’ve
The World Health Organization make it seem. just been having a bad week.” You

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