Mental health is something we all have, but somehow it’s still seen by some as this delicate little flower that can’t be mentioned without getting weird looks, side eyes, or unsolicited “just think positive” advice. And that’s if you’re lucky. Sometimes people just avoid the subject altogether as if you’re going to start crying the minute someone says the word “depression.” Spoiler alert: we aren’t all about to have a meltdown every time mental health is mentioned.
I’ve struggled this past year and a half with depression. Not the “oh I’m just a little sad” type of thing, but the real, sit-in-the-dark-and-feel-like-a-zombie kind of depression. And let me tell you, it’s exhausting pretending to be fine while feeling like you’re carrying the emotional equivalent of a fridge on your back. But here’s the kicker—so many of us do just that because society still acts like asking for help is a weakness.
Why is that? If someone has a broken arm, you don’t tell them, “Just think happy thoughts and it’ll heal!” No, they get a cast, some medical attention, and probably an impressive amount of sympathy. Meanwhile, if you say you’re feeling mentally broken, people act like you’re trying to spoil their day. Like, calm down, Susan. I’m just asking for a little support, not a therapy session in the grocery aisle.
It really gets under my skin that mental health struggles are still seen by some as a weakness. If anything, having the guts to acknowledge when something’s wrong upstairs takes a ridiculous amount of strength. It’s like saying, “Yeah, I can’t see straight right now, but I’m willing to do what I need to get better,” and that’s brave, not weak. But instead, many people are afraid to seek help, and can you blame them? With all the stigma floating around, no wonder people keep their struggles bottled up.
The truth is, bottling things up works about as well as holding in a sneeze. You can do it for a little while, but eventually, it’s going to explode in the most awkward way possible. And let me tell you, the aftermath of a mental health explosion is a lot harder to clean up than a sneeze (although both probably involve tissues). The thing is, life’s hard enough without making it harder on ourselves by pretending everything’s fine when it’s not. Depression, anxiety, burnout—they’re not going to vanish just because you’re trying to “push through” like a stoic hero from some poorly written self-help book.
Seeking help, whether it’s therapy, medication, or just venting to someone who gets it, is not a sign that you’re broken. It’s a sign you’ve decided to take the first step to feeling like yourself again. It’s an act of self-care, not self-pity. And can we just pause for a second to appreciate how messed up it is that people act like self-care is a luxury? I mean, we’re out here brushing our teeth every day, but when it comes to taking care of our minds, suddenly that’s “extra”? Give me a break.
If I’ve learned anything from my own journey through depression, it’s that seeking help is vital. It’s like trying to drive a car with a flat tire; you can maybe get a few miles before everything falls apart, but wouldn’t it be easier to just pull over and fix the damn thing? Mental health is no different. Sometimes we need a little tune-up, and there’s no shame in that.
We need to stop treating mental health like a dirty secret or a weakness. It’s something we all have, and just like physical health, it needs attention, care, and sometimes professional help. So, to anyone out there struggling in silence, I see you, and you’re not weak. You’re strong for surviving this far, and you’re even stronger for seeking the help you deserve. Trust me, you’ll be better off for it.
And if anyone gives you grief for taking care of yourself, just imagine flipping them the bird in your head while calmly explaining that mental health is just as important as any other health. It’s okay to take care of you, and it’s okay to need help along the way.
Fabulously Fabulous 
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