To be a better ally: Mental health awareness

By Serena Shim

It is the first week of October, meaning that it is Mental Illness Awareness Week. Each October, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) provides the opportunity for mental health  advocates across the country to come together and raise awareness of mental illness by educating the public and fighting stigma. The organization also encourages having open conversations about mental health and showing compassion for others. These seem simple but can be intimidating when there is so much stigma. The theme for this year’s Mental Illness Awareness Week is, “What People with Mental Illness Want You to Know.” Now more than ever, we need to come together and show that no one is ever really alone. We have come a long way with becoming more educated and aware of mental health, but there is still a lot that needs to be done to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness. Individuals with mental illnesses are still subjected to stigmatization, leading to social isolation and prejudice. Here are a few ways you can advocate for mental health.

Educate Yourself & Others

The stigma surrounding mental illnesses is often rooted in a lack of understanding. Do your own research to learn more about mental health. Check out resources like National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and the World Health Organization (WHO). Make sure to educate others, especially those who are uninformed and make stereotypical or harmful statements about mental health. These interactions can be challenging but are important for ending the stigma. Share an article to your friends and engage others into the conversation. 

Have Open Conversations 

A lot of people appreciate when someone is willing to listen, especially those who feel like they are not being heard. We need to focus on having more open conversations and listening empathetically. A lot of our conversations tend to only scratch the surface when we should really be taking conscious action in creating a culture where we can talk about our mental health openly. Starting these conversations seems daunting, but it is important to reach out and support one another by listening closely.

Be Mindful of Your Words

We should be more mindful of what we say. It is important to be aware of the implications of mindlessly using different terms. For example, it is common for people with an organized bedroom or desk to label themselves as ‘OCD.’ Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, however, is a mental illness that is much more than an affinity for organization. OCD means having a lack of control over certain thoughts or activities, so much so that they inhibit daily life. 

Terms like ‘crazy’ and ‘insane’ are additionally often used in everyday speech to describe something that is ‘beyond explanation.’ These terms, however, can also perpetuate stigmas and undermine the experiences of those who do struggle with mental health conditions. This can make it more difficult for people with mental illnesses to seek the help they need because they do not want to be judged or perceived differently. Try to replace ‘crazy’ and ‘insane’ with the word you actually mean to say instead of using words that trivialize mental illness. Another harmful term that is thrown around is ‘retard,’ which was once used to label intellectual disabilities. Using the term to describe something annoying or unintelligent is harmful, offensive, and ableist against those with learning disabilities. Remember to be mindful of the implications of your words in all conversations. 

I hope we can all work towards destigmatizing mental health illnesses and have more open conversations with each other. Look out for your friends and family. Check in and make sure they know you are there for them. Take care of yourself and prioritize your mental health as well. We are all human; no GPA, career opportunity, or relationship is ever worth neglecting your mental health. This week and every week, give yourself the grace you deserve. Make sure to treat others kindly and seek help should you ever need it. For more information about Mental Illness Awareness Week and how to get involved, check out: https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/mental-illness-awareness-week