If we want to break down discrimination and stigma surrounding mental illnesses we need to start talking about mental health and sharing how it feels to live with a mental illness. Telling people how life with a mental illness feels helps build support from friends and family, reduces stigma and discrimination, and is crucial to recovery.

People experience the symptoms of mental illnesses differently, and sharing how it really feels can help others to understand if what they are going through may be a symptom of a mental health problem. We often hear clinical terms to identify the symptoms of mental illnesses…but if someone hasn’t gone through it, would they know how to recognize it? So often, clinical terms don’t do justice to what life with a mental illness feels like. Understanding the signs of a mental illness and identifying how it can feel can be confusing—and sometimes can contribute to ongoing silence or hesitation to get help.  So let’s talk about what life with a mental illness feels like, to voice what we are feeling, and so others can know they are not alone.

Today let’s declare:

• Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being
• Mental illnesses are real and prevalent in our nation
• Prevention education is an effective way to reduce the burden of mental illnesses
• With early and effective treatment, those individuals with mental illnesses can recover and lead full, productive lives
• Everyone shares the burden of mental illnesses and has a responsibility to promote mental wellness and support prevention efforts

Samaritan Interfaith inspires hope, facilitates change and creates lasting impact on individuals, families and faith-based organizations.  We offer Spirit led, compassionate care through counseling, education and consulting.